An enhanced research capability for the Australian Antarctic Division will be the outcome of construction and refurbishment work to begin at the AAD’s Kingston headquarters on Monday.
The $6.2 million project, to involve construction of a new building by the site’s owners and refurbishment of existing laboratory facilities, is scheduled to be completed in October.
The new facilities will include:
- upgraded laboratories to bring biological, ecological and atmospheric science research facilities up to world standard
- a dedicated krill aquarium to enable long-term studies of this central component of the Antarctic food chain
- a new building linking existing structures, to house office, planning and other research facilities.
The new work follows agreement on the sale of the AAD complex to a private consortium, financed and sponsored by ABN AMRO, which is leasing the facilities back to the AAD.
The building contractors are the Hobart-based company, Hansen Yuncken Pty Ltd.