Work at Scott Base to continue while Antarctica NZ considers 'range of options'

Thursday, 12 October 2023

This video shows how the new Scott Base research station will be delivered to Antarctica in 2027. (Video first published March 2023)

Work already underway to prepare Scott Base for redevelopment will continue, as Antarctica NZ considers how to progress with the $500 million revamp of New Zealand’s base on the ice.

Antarctica NZ chief executive Sarah Williamson confirmed on Monday it had not been able “to reach an agreement on commercial terms” with Leighs Construction, the Christchurch-based preferred contractor for the redevelopment, with the project now under review.

On Wednesday, Williamson said while a 10-week-long “options analysis” was completed, some of the work already underway at Scott Base would continue as planned in the 2023/24 season, in preparation for a “recommended option”.

“This includes work to ensure the base remains safe for those living and working there, along with some enabling works, environmental monitoring and baselining,” Williamson said.

“Leighs Construction will continue to manage some of this work at Scott Base under an early works contract.”

That included the upgrade to the Ross Island Wind Energy system, she said.

“Antarctica New Zealand continues to have good relationships and open communication with Leighs, and our important Timaru stakeholders. We will now await the outcome of the options analysis to inform next steps.”

Sarah Williamson says while the 10-week-long options analysis is completed, some of the work already underway at Scott Base will continue in the 2023/24 season.

Antarctica NZ would consider a “range of options” on how to progress the project, she said.

News of the project being put on hold received mixed reactions from Timaru business and civic leaders.

Timaru District Mayor Nigel Bowen says he is confident the Scott Base rebuild will go ahead despite the “hiccup”.

Timaru mayor Nigel Bowen and Venture Timaru chief executive Nigel Davenport said they were not concerned and would await the next step, while South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce chief executive Wendy Smith said it was a “very real concern”.

In December 2021, The Timaru Herald revealed an offer from Timaru District Council to invest $1.5 million in the town’s port infrastructure had tipped the scales in the winning of the Scott Base redevelopment contract.

In June 2023,The Timaru Herald revealed the costs for rebuilding the 65-year-old facility had gone up by almost $160m. The project was allocated $344m in Budget 2021.

Leighs Construction was chosen over four competitors as the preferred contractor, and had been working with Antarctica NZ during the design phase.

Chief executive Gary Walker earlier said: “There is nothing more for Leighs Construction to add to the Antarctica NZ statement, it reflects the current status of the Scott Base redevelopment project.”