Antarctica NZ confirms new plan for Scott Base redevelopment
Thursday, 4 July 2024
Antarctica New Zealand has confirmed a new plan for the redevelopment of Scott Base, scrapping a previous design it says was too risky to transport.
In announcing the decision on Thursday, Antarctica NZ issued a statement which said the new plan was to build a new accommodation and living building, refurbish the Hillary Field Centre and scope a third building for workshops, plant and machinery. It also planned to “extend the life of current buildings where practicable”.
“The new plans means Antarctica New Zealand will not proceed with the proposed three-building design, using a large module construction methodology.
“Transport of the modules was considered to carry too great a risk and the need for fewer new buildings made it less viable economically.
“Antarctica New Zealand’s recommendations are supported by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rt Hon. Winston Peters, who will be providing guidance to the chair on next steps towards a revised business case for Cabinet consideration.”
Antarctica NZ undertook an option analysis in late 2023, after the project was placed on hold in October due to budget blow-outs.
An independent review panel, which included construction, engineering and large project experts Bob Hall, Waren Warfield, Peter Leslie and Adam Feeley, made a recommendation to use small modular construction methodology which would allow for containerised delivery and conventional shipping to Antarctica.
Some of the new construction would be conventional framing built on-site.
Antarctica NZ’s board chairperson Leon Grice said the decision by the board in 2023 to pause and undertake an options analysis had paved the way for the independent review.
“This work has allowed the board to resolve a way forward with confidence and ensure we deliver the redevelopment scope within the budget set aside in the Government’s tagged contingency.
“We are re-establishing governance oversight and the project team, revising the design work and commencing detailed costings.
“We are highly focused on providing a year-round safe and functional base for our staff and the scientists we support who undertake world-class science.”
Antarctica NZ chief executive Sarah Williamson said the reasons to redevelop Scott Base remained.
“New Zealand needs safe and fit-for-purpose infrastructure that can withstand extreme conditions and support world leading science.
“Antarctica is extreme, remote, and unforgiving. We need a fully self-sufficient off-the-grid building for the coldest, windiest, harshest place on Earth.
“Antarctica New Zealand’s new plan is not starting from scratch as a lot of the design work can be translated from large to small module construction. Our goal is to turn the key in the 2028/29 season.”
What does the decision mean for Timaru?
Timaru won the bid to be the New Zealand-based construction location for the Scott Base redevelopment contract in November 2021.
The following month, The Timaru Herald revealed an offer from the district council to invest $1.5 million in the town’s port infrastructure had tipped the scales in its favour.
The project was originally expected to start in late 2022.
Asked what Thursday’s announcement meant for Timaru, Grice said it was too early to say.
“With Timaru, unfortunately, we haven’t got any more certainty … we’ll get certainty by dealing with our constructing suppliers and constructor.
“We still need a deep water port to operate from so that has not gone away, but we have got a lot of homework to do.”
He said they would need to sit down with PrimePort Timaru to explain the process.
Venture Timaru operations and destination manager Di Hay said until more details were available, the organisation was not sure exactly what the new plan would mean for the town.
“However, we have been advised that it is still an option for work to be done here, but it will depend on the design and the tender process.”