Hobart wharf demolition paving way for new icebreaker berth

Demolition of Hobart's Macquarie Wharf 6 has commenced, with the entire process slated to last five months. The new wharf will serve as a modern berth for Australia's Antarctic icebreaker, RSV Nuyina. This work is part of a larger redevelopment project aimed at modernizing Tasmania's port network.

Deconstructing the aging wharf is a complex operation, with over 12,900 tonnes of concrete, steel, and timber to be carefully separated, broken down, and removed. Specialized marine equipment, including a 280-tonne crawler crane and excavators fitted with rock breakers, shears, and pulverisers, will be utilized. Environmental controls, such as protective silt curtains and marine-life monitoring, are in place to safeguard the local environment.

The wharf, plagued by concrete cancer, will be demolished in sections, followed by the construction and piling for the new wharf. The $188 million project received federal government funding. While RSV Nuyina will initially use Macquarie Wharf 4 and 5, these structures will also be upgraded as part of the larger works.

Tasmanian Infrastructure and Transport Minister Kerry Vincent highlighted the importance of the wharf renewal, noting the positive impacts on employment, goods supply, and accommodating larger ships and cruise vessels. The redevelopment is expected to be completed by 2028.

However, a lingering issue remains regarding RSV Nuyina's refueling journey to Burnie, the state's north-west. The ship must travel 674 kilometers, costing nearly $900,000 annually, due to a ban on crossing the Tasman Bridge, which TasPorts declared unsafe for the icebreaker's transit. The state government has pledged to find a refueling solution by 2024, with final discussions reportedly nearing completion.