Australian Antarctic Division
Encyclopedia
The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) is an agency of the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (DSEWPaC). The division undertakes science programs and research projects to contribute to an understanding of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean
. It conducts and supports collaborative research programs with other Australian and international organisations, such as the Bureau of Meteorology
and Geoscience Australia
, as well as administering and maintaining a presence in Australian Antarctic
and sub-Antarctic
territories.
, Tasmania
, just south of Hobart
. The division's headquarters houses laboratories for science, electronics and electron microscopy, mechanical and instrument workshops, a krill research aquarium, a herbarium, equipment stores, communications and other operational and support facilities.
The AAD maintains three permanently manned station on the Antarctic continent, and one on Macquarie Island
in the sub-Antarctic:
Remote field bases operate during the summer research season supporting coastal, inland and traverse operations.
operated by Skytraders
. This aircraft operates to and from the Wilkins ice runway
, situated some 65 kilometres (40.4 mi) from Casey Station.
Services within Antarctica are provided by a mixture of fixed-wing aircraft
and helicopter
s. Fixed-wing services are provided by a pair of CASA 212-400 aircraft, equipped with skis, that are also operated by Skytraders. These aircraft operate from Wilkins runway and from smaller snow runways at each of the three permanent stations, as well as any field locations which provide the necessary flat area of snow or ice. Helicopter services are provided by three Eurocopter AS 350 BA Squirrel helicopters, operated by Helicopter Resources.
, a multi-purpose marine research and resupply ship chartered from P&O Polar
. The Aurora Australis was launched in 1989 and built by Carrington Slipways in Newcastle
, New South Wales.
Although the AAD maintains a base on Macquarie Island
, that island is not a federal territory but is rather part of the Australian state of Tasmania
.
Southern Ocean
The Southern Ocean comprises the southernmost waters of the World Ocean, generally taken to be south of 60°S latitude and encircling Antarctica. It is usually regarded as the fourth-largest of the five principal oceanic divisions...
. It conducts and supports collaborative research programs with other Australian and international organisations, such as the Bureau of Meteorology
Bureau of Meteorology
The Bureau of Meteorology is an Executive Agency of the Australian Government responsible for providing weather services to Australia and surrounding areas. It was established in 1906 under the Meteorology Act, and brought together the state meteorological services that existed before then...
and Geoscience Australia
Geoscience Australia
Geoscience Australia is an agency of the Australian federal government. It carries out geoscientific research.On a user pays basis it produces geospatial products such as topographic maps and satellite imagery.-History:...
, as well as administering and maintaining a presence in Australian Antarctic
Australian Antarctic Territory
The Australian Antarctic Territory is a part of Antarctica. It was claimed by the United Kingdom and placed under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1933. It is the largest territory of Antarctica claimed by any nation...
and sub-Antarctic
Heard Island and McDonald Islands
The Heard Island and McDonald Islands are an Australian external territory and volcanic group of barren Antarctic islands, about two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica. The group's overall size is in area and it has of coastline...
territories.
Charter
Under its charter the Australian Antarctic Division:- Administers the Australian Antarctic TerritoryAustralian Antarctic TerritoryThe Australian Antarctic Territory is a part of Antarctica. It was claimed by the United Kingdom and placed under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1933. It is the largest territory of Antarctica claimed by any nation...
and the Territory of Heard Island and McDonald IslandsHeard Island and McDonald IslandsThe Heard Island and McDonald Islands are an Australian external territory and volcanic group of barren Antarctic islands, about two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica. The group's overall size is in area and it has of coastline... - Conducts research in high priority areas of Antarctic science
- Coordinates and manages Australia's logistic program in Antarctica
- Promotes Antarctic research in universities through grants and the provision of logistic support
- Develops policy proposals and provides advice on Australia's Antarctic interests
- Promotes Australia's Antarctic interests within the Antarctic Treaty SystemAntarctic Treaty SystemThe Antarctic Treaty and related agreements, collectively called the Antarctic Treaty System or ATS, regulate international relations with respect to Antarctica, Earth's only continent without a native human population. For the purposes of the treaty system, Antarctica is defined as all of the land...
- Maintains a continuing presence in the region through permanent stations, the establishment of field bases and the provision of transport, communication and medical services
- Acts as the primary source of Australian Antarctic information
Australian Antarctic program
The Australian Antarctic Division leads the Australian Antarctic program (AAp) with four key goals:- Maintain the Antarctic Treaty System and enhance Australia's influence in it
- Protect the Antarctic environment
- Understand the role of Antarctica in the global climate system
- Undertake scientific work of practical, economic and national significance
Research stations
The AAD headquarters is based in KingstonKingston, Tasmania
Kingston is a township and region on the outskirts of Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Nestled 15 km south of the city between and around several hills, Kingston is the council seat of its wider municipality, the Kingborough Council, and today serves as the gateway between Hobart and the...
, Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
, just south of Hobart
Hobart
Hobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony,Hobart is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney. In 2009, the city had a greater area population of approximately 212,019. A resident of Hobart is known as...
. The division's headquarters houses laboratories for science, electronics and electron microscopy, mechanical and instrument workshops, a krill research aquarium, a herbarium, equipment stores, communications and other operational and support facilities.
The AAD maintains three permanently manned station on the Antarctic continent, and one on Macquarie Island
Macquarie Island
Macquarie Island lies in the southwest corner of the Pacific Ocean, about half-way between New Zealand and Antarctica, at 54°30S, 158°57E. Politically, it has formed part of the Australian state of Tasmania since 1900 and became a Tasmanian State Reserve in 1978. In 1997 it became a world heritage...
in the sub-Antarctic:
- Casey StationCasey StationCasey Station is a permanent base in Antarctica managed by the Australian Antarctic Division located on Vincennes Bay in the Australian Antarctic Territory.- History :...
(including the seasonal camp at Wilkins RunwayWilkins RunwayWilkins Runway is a single runway aerodrome operated by Australia, located on upper Peterson Glacier, Budd Coast, Wilkes Land on the continent of Antarctica, but 40 km southeast of the actual coast...
) - Davis StationDavis StationDavis Station is a permanent base in Antarctica managed by the Australian Antarctic Division . It is the busiest Australian scientific research station...
- Mawson StationMawson StationMawson Station is one of three permanent Australian bases in the Australian Antarctic Territory of East Antarctica. Named after Antarctic explorer Sir Douglas Mawson, the base is managed by the Australian Antarctic Division...
- Macquarie Island StationMacquarie Island StationMacquarie Island Station, known as Macca to staff, is a permanent Australian subantarctic research base on Macquarie Island, lying about half-way between Australia and Antarctica...
Remote field bases operate during the summer research season supporting coastal, inland and traverse operations.
Aviation
The AAD utilises an air transport system, both for transport to and from Antarctica, and for transport within the continent. Aircraft for this system are provided and operated under contract by private sector operators. Services to and from Antarctica are provided, between November and February each year, by an Airbus A319-115LRAirbus A320 family
The Airbus A320 family is a family of short- to medium-range, narrow-body, commercial passenger jet airliners manufactured by Airbus Industrie.Airbus was originally a consortium of European aerospace companies, and is now fully owned by EADS. Airbus's name has been Airbus SAS since 2001...
operated by Skytraders
Skytraders
Skytraders is an Australian airline. It is headquartered at Tullamarine Airport in Melbourne, Australia. It has no routes of its own, but operates to support the Australian Antarctic Division's scientific research programme in Antarctica.- Fleet :...
. This aircraft operates to and from the Wilkins ice runway
Wilkins Runway
Wilkins Runway is a single runway aerodrome operated by Australia, located on upper Peterson Glacier, Budd Coast, Wilkes Land on the continent of Antarctica, but 40 km southeast of the actual coast...
, situated some 65 kilometres (40.4 mi) from Casey Station.
Services within Antarctica are provided by a mixture of fixed-wing aircraft
Fixed-wing aircraft
A fixed-wing aircraft is an aircraft capable of flight using wings that generate lift due to the vehicle's forward airspeed. Fixed-wing aircraft are distinct from rotary-wing aircraft in which wings rotate about a fixed mast and ornithopters in which lift is generated by flapping wings.A powered...
and helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
s. Fixed-wing services are provided by a pair of CASA 212-400 aircraft, equipped with skis, that are also operated by Skytraders. These aircraft operate from Wilkins runway and from smaller snow runways at each of the three permanent stations, as well as any field locations which provide the necessary flat area of snow or ice. Helicopter services are provided by three Eurocopter AS 350 BA Squirrel helicopters, operated by Helicopter Resources.
Shipping
The AAD uses the icebreaker RSV Aurora AustralisAurora Australis (icebreaker)
Aurora Australis is an Australian icebreaker. Built by Carrington Slipways and launched in 1989, the vessel is owned by P&O Polar, but is regularly chartered by the Australian Antarctic Division for research cruises in Antarctic waters and to support Australian bases in Antarctica.-Design and...
, a multi-purpose marine research and resupply ship chartered from P&O Polar
Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company
The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company, which is usually known as P&O, is a British shipping and logistics company which dated from the early 19th century. Following its sale in March 2006 to Dubai Ports World for £3.9 billion, it became a subsidiary of DP World; however, the P&O...
. The Aurora Australis was launched in 1989 and built by Carrington Slipways in Newcastle
Newcastle, New South Wales
The Newcastle metropolitan area is the second most populated area in the Australian state of New South Wales and includes most of the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas...
, New South Wales.
Territorial administration
The AAD is responsible, on behalf of the Australian Government, for administering the two Australian federal territories that lie in Antarctic or sub-Antarctic latitudes:- Australian Antarctic TerritoryAustralian Antarctic TerritoryThe Australian Antarctic Territory is a part of Antarctica. It was claimed by the United Kingdom and placed under the authority of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1933. It is the largest territory of Antarctica claimed by any nation...
- Heard Island and McDonald IslandsHeard Island and McDonald IslandsThe Heard Island and McDonald Islands are an Australian external territory and volcanic group of barren Antarctic islands, about two-thirds of the way from Madagascar to Antarctica. The group's overall size is in area and it has of coastline...
Although the AAD maintains a base on Macquarie Island
Macquarie Island
Macquarie Island lies in the southwest corner of the Pacific Ocean, about half-way between New Zealand and Antarctica, at 54°30S, 158°57E. Politically, it has formed part of the Australian state of Tasmania since 1900 and became a Tasmanian State Reserve in 1978. In 1997 it became a world heritage...
, that island is not a federal territory but is rather part of the Australian state of Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
.