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Item No. 19
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Supporting Information
Council Meeting - 29/4/2024
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Page 1
ATTACHMENT a
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Yellow Ribbon Road
Safety Council
Memorandum of
Understanding
Safer Australian Roads
and Highways Inc
and
City of Hobart
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Category: Yellow
Ribbon Road Safety Council
Purpose of this
Memorandum of Understanding:
This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
identifies the strategic intent of Safer Australian Roads and Highways
Incorporated (SARAH) and the Yellow Ribbon Road Safety Council (the Yellow
Ribbon Council) and provides the framework within which our organisations will
work together in the promotion of Yellow Ribbon National Road Safety Week
(“National Road Safety Week”), as well as SARAH’s and
Council’s agreed road safety initiatives. Additionally, this MoU
specifically notes that for the duration of this MoU:
i) Council has the right to
identify itself as a National Road Safety Week supporter;
ii) Council has the right to
identify itself as a Yellow Ribbon Road Safety Council; and,
iii) SARAH will expressly and
publicly identify Council as both a Yellow Ribbon Road Safety Council, and a
Local Government supporter of National Road Safety Week.
SARAH’s Aims:
As the implications of road crash death
and serious injury are largely hidden from the community, SARAH aims to:
1. raise
awareness of how road crashes impact individuals, their loved ones and the
community;
2. challenge
current community and political perception that road crash death and serious
injury is the inevitable but acceptable collateral damage for the movement of
goods and services within the national, state or local economy;
3. promote
best practice road safety policy, as well as support community education
initiatives and campaigns; and
4. provide
symbols to enable supporters to show that they are road safety advocates.
Objectives:
Through education
initiatives, awareness campaigns and general road safety activities, SARAH
encourages governments, corporates, education sectors, unions, non-government
organisations and individuals to:
1. publicly
identify themselves as road safety advocates by displaying a yellow ribbon/s or
sticker/s and/or displaying or wearing a yellow ribbon/s;
2. help improve on-road
behaviour by asking drivers/riders to actively protect those who are, or may
become, vulnerable on our roads and highways;
3. during defined campaigns,
(i.e. National Road Safety Week held annually in May, Road Worker Day of Remembrance
on 9th November, and United Nations Day of Remembrance for Road
Traffic Victims held on the third Sunday of November etc), encourage the
display of the colour yellow to identify the Partner/Supporter as a road safety
leader; and
4. acknowledge and stand in
solidarity with the victims of road trauma, their families, friends and
community.
This MoU acknowledges that where
practical, and in accordance with its policies, the Yellow Ribbon Council will
assist SARAH in promoting Australia’s National Road Safety Week.
This Memorandum of
Understanding is between:
Safer Australian Roads and Highways
Incorporated (ABN: 972 8045 5956) 7 Saggas St Springwood New South Wales 2777 (SARAH)
and
City of Hobart (ABN: 39
055 343 428).
Strategic Intent: SARAH
SARAH is a not-for-profit
incorporated association whose mission is to promote initiatives that
contribute to improved road safety awareness by maintaining an emphasis on our
“duty of care” over those with whom we share the road.
SARAH is committed to promoting
the “Vision Zero” Road Safety philosophy as the instrument for
improved outcomes. SARAH works cooperatively with road safety stakeholders at
local, state, national and international levels to:
· foster improved road
safety awareness and responsibility by drivers/riders;
· ensure road policy
focuses on harm elimination/ minimisation; and
· demonstrate solidarity
and support for those affected by road tragedy.
Strategic Intent: City of Hobart
· Aspire to deliver road
safety outcomes aligned with the City of Hobart’s strategies and
frameworks listed below:
o Community Vision and
Capital City Strategic Plan
‘Hobart – a community vision for our
island capital’ outlines the Hobart community’s vision for the
future the city, including specific pillars on Sense of Place, City Economies,
Movement and Connectivity, Natural and Built Environment, Governance and Civic
Involvement. The document was developed with extensive community engagement
– over 1100 contributions from community members and stakeholders.
o Central Hobart Plan
The purpose of the CHP is to guide future growth
in a way that will strengthen what’s great about Hobart, and to build on
its position as a vibrant, flourishing, sustainable and globally appealing
capital city, without compromising those qualities which already make the city
unique.
o 2018 Transport Strategy
Themes and Position Statements
The Hobart Transport Strategy outlines the key
areas that the City of Hobart must address to achieve integrated and
sustainable transport solutions, to support growth in the city's population and
the economy while holding on to what makes Hobart special and unique.
o 2024 Transport
Strategy– in draft
The City of Hobart is currently undertaking a
refresh of its draft 2018 Transport Strategy, with a 2024 Transport Strategy
anticipated to be endorsed by June 2024.
o Hobart Transport Network
Operating Plan (TNOP)
The City of Hobart and the Department of State
Growth have been jointly developing an Inner Hobart Transport Network
Operations Plan (TNOP) to provide a framework for managing the competing
demands and priorities on the road and transport network and ensure the
operation of the Hobart City mobility network is aligned with the strategic
objectives of the whole city.
o City Mobility Planning
School Access Travel Plan development – In
2022 three State Government Primary Schools have partnered with CoH to survey
and students and parents and develop agreed plans for improved walking, cycling
and public transport access to schools. The three schools participating are
Goulburn Street, New Town, and South Hobart Primary Schools.
1.0 Definitions
1.1 MOU
means this Memorandum of Understanding between SARAH and the
Yellow Ribbon Road Safety Council.
1.2 Yellow
Ribbon Road Safety Council or Yellow Ribbon Council means the category of
support that includes a limited licence to exercise SARAH’s Intellectual
Property Rights.
1.3 Representative means the person
described in Attachment A as the representative of either SARAH or the Yellow
Ribbon Council, and any other persons as may be notified to either SARAH or the
Yellow Ribbon Council in writing.
1.4 Road
Safety Initiative means any action or endeavour that is designed to improve
stakeholder, organisational, industry or community road safety awareness or
activity.
1.5 Intellectual
Property Rights means all intellectual property rights whether now existing
or created on or after the date of this MoU.
1.6 Media Release means an official
release of information made by a SARAH, or a Yellow Ribbon Council Representative, in any
media form including social media.
1.7 Public Statement means a statement or
comment made by a SARAH Representative, or a Yellow Ribbon Council Representative, in
any media form including social media and includes internal communication
documents that are, or would be, publicly available.
1.8 Joint
Statement is a public statement made by both Organisations, and that will
display the other organisation’s graphic or logo (as directed by the
relevant party) on the Statement’s Banner or within the Statement.
1.9 Footnote
Reference means a reference or statement within a Public Statement or Media
Release that uses, or purports to use, the other Organisation’s graphic
or logo to endorse that Organisation. A Footnote Reference may appear in any
location within a document, or within internal or external communications,
including but not limited to Media Releases, on a website, in an email, or
within social media.
1.10 Yellow
Ribbon Symbolism means any of SARAH’s graphics or logos as displayed
on SARAH’s website from time to time.
1.11 Confidential
Information means information belonging to one party which is (1) disclosed
to the other party in relation to this MoU, (2) of a confidential nature or is
described as such by the disclosing party, and (3) was not already known by the
other party or already in the public domain.
1.12 Yellow
Ribbon National Road Safety Week (National Road Safety Week or NRSW) refers
to the annual event created by SARAH. The event occurs during May each year and
involves Government and Non-government parties in the promotion of road safety
activities and/or events. For the purpose of clarity, Yellow Ribbon
National Road Safety Week also maintains an international component, has been
an event of United Nations Global Road Safety Week, and is also SARAH’s
contribution to the international “Maio Amarelo” (“Yellow
Ribbon May”) initiative.
1.13 Speaking
Engagement means a request for SARAH’s President to provide a
lecture, speech or presentation, and may be in the form of a keynote address for a
conference, a staff assembly, external training event, a video presentation,
casting or recording, social media streaming event, or such other activity as
agreed.
2.0 Term
of this MoU
2.1 This
MoU will commence on the signing of the MoU by the last party and in accordance
with the terms herein, and will continue until terminated by either party.
2.2 This
MoU may be terminated by either party providing the other party not less than
one month’s notice in writing.
2.3 This MoU may only be amended on a variation
of a MoU signed by both parties.
2.4 The
Anniversary Date is the 31st March of the year following the
execution of this MoU.
2.5 Unless
terminated four weeks prior to the Anniversary Date, the renewal of this MoU
will be automatic and be effected by payment of an invoice generated by SARAH
four weeks prior to the anniversary of this MoU and paid by the Yellow Ribbon
Council no later than two weeks after the Anniversary Date.
2.6 If
no payment is received within two weeks after the Anniversary Date (14 April),
the MoU will be deemed to have lapsed as of the Anniversary Date.
2.7 For the
purpose of clarity, the first Anniversary Date for this MoU is deemed to be
31st March 2025.
3.0
Licence and Authority to Use SARAH’s Intellectual Property
3.1 SARAH
gives the Yellow Ribbon Council a non-exclusive, worldwide, irrevocable and
unconditional licence to exercise SARAH’s Intellectual Property Rights
for the purpose of promoting road safety initiatives and exercising any of its
rights under this MoU and subject to the terms of this MoU.
3.2 For
the avoidance of doubt, for the duration of this MoU the Yellow Ribbon Council
has the right to use SARAH images and symbolism, including Yellow Ribbon
symbolism, for its own National Road Safety Week activities, or joint National
Road Safety Week activities, or for its own specific road safety activities
outside of National Road Safety Week.
3.3 With
reference to Clause 3.2, and with specific regard to National Road Safety Week,
SARAH requests that in the lead up to, and during National Road Safety Week,
the Yellow Ribbon Council undertake a selection of the following:
(i) promote internal
communications and activities that focus on improving road safety awareness and
that generate commitment to improve outcomes;
(ii) in
collaboration with external clients, promote initiatives that focus on
improving road safety awareness and that generate commitment to improve
outcomes;
(iii) with
reference to either the stated annual theme and/or the stated foci for each of
the days of National Road Safety Week, specify and then undertake an activity
during the Week that reflects either the theme of National Road Safety Week
and/or one of the daily foci.
(iv) undertake
and/or promote local events and other initiatives, in order to improve road
safety awareness and generate commitment to improve outcomes;
(v) publicise
Media Releases and Statements (including Joint Media Releases and Joint
Statements), in order to improve road safety awareness and generate commitment
to improve outcomes;
(vi) utilse
SARAH’s yellow ribbon, SARAH’s Australia logo, and/or Yellow Ribbon
generic symbol (as used for the Yellow Ribbon May international initiative)
alongside its own logo in media promotion (including social media);
(vii) display
yellow ribbons and/or stickers at work locations and on vehicle fleets, as well
as promote the wearing of yellow lapel ribbons;
(viii) arrange
the lighting in yellow of the Yellow Ribbon Council’s own premise/s
and/or work locations, during National Road Safety Week; and/or
(ix) promote
the lighting in yellow of local, state and national buildings and/or icons
(including publicly displaying and promoting through internal and external
communications noting that “this building/bridge/icon/s has been lit
yellow in support of National Road Safety Week” (or words that would
indicate a similar meaning or effect).
3.4 SARAH
and the Yellow Ribbon Council maintain the right to undertake any road safety
activities as each see fit. However, where an activity is in line with the
spirit of this MoU, but not necessarily associated with National Road Safety
Week, for the period of this MoU, SARAH specifically grants the Yellow Ribbon
Council permission to use its yellow ribbon symbolism for its internal road
safety activities.
4.0 Promotion
of National Road Safety Week
4.1 In
accordance with the Yellow Ribbon Council’s policies and procedures, and
at its sole discretion, the Yellow Ribbon Council may:
(i) promote
the National Road Safety Week (NRSW) theme, daily foci, or any other SARAH
sponsored initiative, in internal communications;
(ii) promote
the National Road Safety Week theme and NRSW daily foci, or any other SARAH
sponsored initiative, to external stakeholders;
(iii) arrange
for the lighting in yellow of buildings, bridges and/or icons as road safety
symbols and publicising the same; and
(iv) use
SARAH’s images such as SARAH’s Australia logo, the standard yellow
ribbon and/or a variant, as its primary road safety symbols in its internal and
external communications.
5.0 Endorsement
5.1 The
Yellow Ribbon Council is encouraged to promote through internal and/or external
communications that “City of Hobart is a proud supporter of
Yellow Ribbon National Road Safety Week””; and/or
“proudly supports National Road Safety Week” or “is a
Supporter of National Road Safety Week”, or words that would indicate
a similar meaning or effect.
5.2 The
Yellow Ribbon Council has the express permission to utilise SARAH’s IP
and may utilise and promote phrases such as “Everyone has the right to
get home safe!”, “Choose to Drive So Others Survive!”,
“We love SARAH” etc, in its internal and external communications.
5.3 SARAH
may use a standard Footnote Reference on its internal and/or external
communications that notes the following words “City of Hobart proudly
supports National Road Safety Week” or “National Road Safety
Week is proudly supported by City of Hobart”; and/or or words
that would indicate a similar meaning or effect.
6.0 Media
and Public Comment
6.1 Each
Organisation maintains the right to issue media releases, utilise media or
issue Public Statements about its own policy or operations, in its own right
and without reference to the other Organisation.
6.2 Where
relevant, and where it is decided that a Joint Statement is to be made, each
representative will consult in order to:
i) agree
on a form of words prior to the release; and
ii) agree on
an embargo time and date of the release.
For the avoidance of
doubt, if agreement cannot be reached with respect to any of the matters in
clause 6.2, neither party shall issue a Joint Statement or a Joint Media
Release, but as per clause 6.1, each party is entitled to issue a Public
Statement or Media Release in its own right and without reference to the other
Organisation.
6.3 SARAH
will from time to time prepare template Media Releases for use by other
parties, especially in the lead up to, and during, National Road Safety Week.
The Yellow Ribbon Council may use the Template and change minor wording to
ensure its own media coverage without reference to SARAH. However, where a
significant change is recommended, SARAH requests that consultation be
initiated by the Yellow Ribbon Council to ensure the spirit of the release is
maintained.
7.0 Financial
Support
7.1 In
exchange for the performance of SARAH’s obligations under this MoU, the
Yellow Ribbon Council has agreed to assist SARAH’s National Road Safety
Week initiative by providing an annual financial contribution of $1950 (excluding
GST).
7.2 SARAH is
grateful for this contribution and during the term of this MoU will provide the
Yellow Ribbon Council with the services and merchandise noted in Clause 8.1.
7.3 Additional
to the services and merchandise provided to the Yellow Ribbon Council, the
balance of such annual financial support will be used to fund one, or a
combination, of the following activities:
a. SARAH’s
community road safety initiatives, promotions and/or campaigns;
b. SARAH’s
industry road safety initiatives, promotions and/or campaigns;
c. policy
development, liaison and co-ordination work including through participation in
Local, State, National or International Road Safety Initiatives;
d. co-ordinating
Committees, Steering Committees and/or Conferences;
e. support
(including referral) for those individuals affected by road trauma; and
f. SARAH’s
internal administration and related resourcing.
8.0
Provision of Services and Merchandise
8.1 As
noted above, the Yellow Ribbon Council has committed funding for the period of
this MoU to assist SARAH with road safety activities, and specifically National
Road Safety Week. As SARAH is grateful for this contribution and for the
duration of this MoU, SARAH notes that:
a. SARAH will upload the
Yellow Ribbon Council’s logo to the National Road Safety Week website (https://roadsafetyweek.com.au/https://roadsafetyweek.com.au/ under the heading
Partners/Supporters, and identifying it as a Yellow Ribbon Road Safety Council.
b. SARAH will upload the
Yellow Ribbon Council’s logo to the SARAH website identifying it as a
Yellow Ribbon Road Safety Council. For the purpose of clarity, the relevant url
is https://sarahgroup.org/.
c. SARAH will provide up to
20% of the Yellow Ribbon Council’s financial support in SARAH merchandise
and/or speaking engagements (or both). (NB. The merchandise will be costed
as per the website https://roadsafetyweek.com.au/supporters at the time of any order).
Where an order or speaking request exceeds the 20% limit,
the Yellow Ribbon Council will be invoiced at the relevant rate as per the
website https://roadsafetyweek.com.au/supporters less any additional amount noted in 9.2 (b).
d. SARAH’s President,
and/or nominated representative, will assist the Yellow Ribbon Council with
advice regarding the planning and community promotion of Council’s
National Road Safety Week initiatives.
e. With Vision Zero as
SARAH’s foundation, SARAH’s President, and/or nominated
representative, will assist the Yellow Ribbon Council to protect its own
community by identifying major issues that are preventing better outcomes under
the Safe System (ie. Safe Roads, Safe Speeds, Safe People and Safe Vehicles).
f. Once the Yellow Ribbon
Council’s hierarchy of major issues is identified and agreed, SARAH will
support a strategic approach to assist the Yellow Ribbon Council in raising the
profile of the major issue/s with the relevant Commonwealth, State or Territory
bureaucracy. If agreed by the parties, such issue/s may also form the basis of
media releases, including joint media releases.
g. On request, and as per
Clause 1.13, SARAH’s President will provide an annual Complimentary
Speaking Engagement to support the Yellow Ribbon Council‘s NRSW
activities. Alternatively, and at the sole discretion of the Yellow Ribbon Council,
the Speaking Engagement may be used for any other road safety initiative of the
Yellow Ribbon Council.
(NB. As the annual Complimentary Speaking Engagement will be
subject to the President’s availability, it is requested that at least
eight (8) weeks’ notice is given).
h. For the purpose of
clarity, where travel is less than 300 kilometres return from Springwood New
South Wales and no accommodation is required, travel to a venue is not costed
as additional.
i. Where travel is greater
than 300 kilometres return from Springwood New South Wales, and should
overnight accommodation be required, SARAH will invoice the Yellow Ribbon
Council post the event for any reasonable domestic travel and/or accommodation
costs that have been previously agreed by the Yellow Ribbon Council.
8.2 Additional
Services and/or Merchandise over those noted in Clause 8.1
Where services or
merchandise are required that are additional to the item noted in Clause 8.1,
the following discounts apply:
a. Additional Speaking
Engagement
(N.B. This is charged if the Yellow Ribbon Council requests a
supplementary engagement that is in addition to the Annual Complimentary
Engagement).
As a Yellow Ribbon Council, the Standard Daily Charge rate of
$1500 (excluding GST) will be reduced by 50% to $750 (excluding GST).
b. Yellow Ribbon Merchandise
Where an order is costed over and above the merchandise and
services provision noted in Clause 8.1 (c), a further 10% discount applies.
9.0
Confidentiality
a) Each party
will keep the other party’s Confidential Information confidential, and
shall not (directly or indirectly), without the prior written approval of the
other party, disclose the other party’s Confidential Information.
b) A party
shall not be in breach of the above Clause where it is legally compelled to
disclose the other party’s Confidential Information.
c) Each party
shall take reasonable steps to ensure that its employees and agents, and any
sub-contractors for the purposes of this MoU, do not make public or disclose
the other party's Confidential Information.
d) When this
MoU ends, the parties must destroy or return the Confidential Information.
e) Each party
may retain a copy of the other party’s Confidential Information to the
extent required by law, or for the party’s reasonable internal credit,
risk, insurance, legal and professional responsibilities.
10.0 Privacy
SARAH will comply with
privacy legislation applicable to the relevant Commonwealth, State or Territory
jurisdiction, and in particular will:
a) not use personal
information collected or accessed in connection with this MoU other than for
the purpose of performing SARAH’s obligations under this MoU;
b) not disclose personal
information without the relevant Yellow Ribbon Council’s prior written
consent, unless required or authorised by law;
c) ensure that any
personal information of the relevant Yellow Ribbon Council, its officers,
employees or agents, and third parties is at all times secure from misuse, interference,
loss or unauthorised access, modification or disclosure;
d) to the extent
permitted by law, destroy or de-identify personal information or sensitive
information that is no longer required;
e) fully cooperate with
the Yellow Ribbon Council to enable the Yellow Ribbon Council to respond to
applications for access to, or amendment of, a document containing a
person’s personal information and to privacy complaints and any privacy
breach notifications (which shall remain under the Yellow Ribbon Council’s
control); and
f) notify the
Yellow Ribbon Council immediately in writing and co-operate fully with the
Yellow Ribbon Council at our its expense if SARAH misplaces, loses or makes an
unlawful disclosure of personal or sensitive information, or otherwise breaches
this Clause 10.
END
MoU Execution
SIGNED ON BEHALF OF THE
YELLOW RIBBON ROAD SAFETY COUNCIL
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Yellow Ribbon
Council’s
Witness
Representative
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Date
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SIGNED ON BEHALF OF
SARAH
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SARAH’s
Representative
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Witness
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Attachment A
SARAH
Representative
Name: Peter Frazer OAM,
President
Address: 7 Saggas Street
SPRINGWOOD NSW 2777
Postal Address: PO Box
534 Springwood NSW 2777
Phone: 0466 968700
Email:
President@SarahGroup.Org
YELLOW RIBBON ROAD SAFETY
COUNCIL Representative
Name:
Address:
Postal Address:
Phone:
Email:
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Item No. 20
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Supporting Information
Council Meeting - 29/4/2024
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Page 1
ATTACHMENT a
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City
of HOBART
About the City of
HOBART
The City of Hobart is
the local government body covering the central metropolitan area of
lutruwita/Tasmania’s capital city nipaluna/Hobart.
The present-day
council entity was legislated in 1852 with the role of Lord Mayor created in
1934.
As enshrined in
legislation, the key function of local government is:
· To provide for the
health, safety and welfare of the community;
· To represent the
interests of the community; and
· To provide for the
municipal area's peace, order and good government.
The City of Hobart
delivers a range of services to over 56,000 residents and employs over 550
staff.
Introduction
As Australia’s
southmost city, Hobart is not only Australia’s Gateway to the Antarctic,
but also the central hub of national and international Antarctic science and
research, and Governance activities.
Our deep connection with Antarctica is embedded in our
city’s history, our buildings and waterfront, our cultures and arts, our
people, our workforce, and our economic and climate future.
Our local Antarctic sector supports nearly 1000 jobs
across a diverse range of roles in the science and research, governance and
logistics fields. Many of those working in the sector live in, and contribute
to the vibrancy of our city. Overall, our Antarctic sector is worth $183
million to our local economy, including the services and products we provide to
support Antarctic endeavours, primarily in the Southern Ocean and east
Antarctic region.
Our deep-water port (operated by TasPorts) has been home
to several of Australia's Antarctic Program’s icebreakers over the years,
including Australia’s current icebreaker the state-of-the-art RSV
Nuyina. This ship is regarded as the most advanced polar research ship in
the world right now and we are so fortunate to have it berthed right on our
doorstep representing the significant relationship we have with Antarctica in
Hobart.
As well as the presence of Nuyina in our port, we
regularly welcome icebreakers from other countries, with each visit to our port
injecting around $2 million into our local economy as they refuel and resupply.
This year alone we have welcomed visits from science and research vessels from
France, Germany, Japan, the USA and China and each of these visits has allowed
our sector to deepen our international collaborations.
As well as by sea, Hobart provides access to the
Antarctic by air. Hobart's International Airport facilitates direct flights to
the Antarctic for local and international expeditioners. The Italian Antarctic
Program regularly accesses this service to reach their base.
At the heart of our Antarctic Gateway is the University
of Tasmania’ (UTAS) specialist Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies
(IMAS). Its main location is on our waterfront which includes its
state-of-the-art research and teaching facilities. State-wide the institute has
almost 200 staff and almost the same number of PHD students.
It is number one for studying the Southern Ocean and
Antarctica and ranked in the top ten worldwide across specialist fields
including marine and freshwater biology, oceanography and fisheries as it
delivers first-class programs resulting in highly trained scientists and
researchers serving the needs of academic institutions, industry, government
and the community.
IMAS is globally recognised for its significant
contributions to research and science, particularly in relation to work around
understanding the significant impact the rapidly changing climate is having on
sea ice.
Located right next to IMAS, the Commonwealth Science and
Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) has its Hobart presence. Here CSIRO
focuses on marine and atmospheric research and it is home to Australia's
dedicated ocean research vessel the RV Investigator.
Our sector is uniquely connected and coordinated through
the Tasmanian Polar Network (TPN) which includes leading businesses,
institutions, and government partners. TPN has over 70 members and as a central
point of contact, supports a coordinated service delivery model assisting both
Australia’s and international programs activities at sea, and on the ice.
Over time, Hobart's waterfront has been defined by our
role in Antarctic expeditions and dotted along it are numerous memorial
plaques, brass statues and even the replica of Mawson's Hut, Australia's first
science and geographical base in Antarctica over a century ago when we first
cemented our national interests in the icy continent. Within the city this
provides a unique visitor experience, promoting our long history of providing
logistical and technical support to enable exploration of Antarctica and our
leadership in science and research.
Hobart is also a meeting place for like-minds and is also
a natural destination for important international conferences focused on
science and research in the Antarctic region to be held. Last year we were the
hosts of the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP) which
brought people from all over the world to Hobart to exchange information and
experiences about working in the Antarctic, as well as facilitate opportunities
for developing international collaborations.
Hobart is the home of important international
organisations including the Southern Ocean Observing System (SOOS) and the
Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR)
where important data is shared between nations and critical issues on the
protection and future management of Antarctica are discussed.
CCAMLR’s focus is on one of the most longstanding
and critical issues facing the Antarctic – the commercial interest in
Antarctic krill. Discussions around this are highly political and as the home
of the secretariat we support Australia to have a leading role in negotiations.
City of Hobart supports CCAMLR to warmly welcome and host members when they
visit and works with key stakeholders in the sector to showcase our Antarctica
capabilities and the importance of Antarctica to us.
As one of five global Antarctic Gateways, the City of
Hobart, together with the Tasmanian State Government, actively pursues
practical collaboration opportunities with other Gateways, particularly with
our closest gateway partner Christchurch, New Zealand. These collaborations are
underpinned by a shared understanding that we have a leadership role in
facilitating the world’s access to Antarctica and how it understands and
experiences it. We exchange information on how as Gateways we can continue to
be the world's epicentres for Antarctic activity and leadership.
Between 2017 – 2020 Hobart took a leading role in a
collaborative research project that studied the relationship of five key
Antarctic Gateway Cities – Hobart, Christchurch, Punta Arenas, Ushuaia
and Cape Town – with Antarctica and with each other. The project looked
at how these Southern Ocean Rim cities can act collectively as global
custodians of Antarctica (link).
The project was funded by an Australian Research Council
(ARC) Linkage Grant and was a partnership between the Western Sydney University,
the University of Tasmania, Hobart City Council, Tasmanian Department of State
Growth, Antarctic Office, Christchurch City Council, University of Canterbury,
Universidad de Magallanes, Chilean Antarctic Institute (INACH) and key partners
in New Zealand, Chile, Argentina and South Africa.
As the home of critically important research and
activities to support the world’s knowledge around the impacts of climate
change, Hobart is humbled to be a city which can provide this vital information
to support global responses. Through our stakeholder engagement we look for
opportunities to pass on our findings and seek collaboration partners to
continue to find out more. Importantly, this information allows Australia to
continue to be a leading contributor to the Antarctic Treaty System and sought
after ally in Antarctica matters globally.
The city also supports efforts to promote the importance
of Antarctica and Antarctic science through cultural events which engage the
community broadly. We fund the Antarctic Festival and the Beaker Street
Festival, both of which provide a platform for public awareness and engagement.
Key issues
Supporting and
growing the Antarctic sector in Hobart is contingent on the development of a
number of strategic infrastructure projects that will boost industry and
research capacity, attract business and jobs, and enhance Hobart’s
reputation as the premier gateway to the Antarctic and Southern Ocean.
Central to this
ambition is establishing the Antarctic and Science Precinct, which will
bring together local, national and international Antarctic expertise within a
centralised facility at Macquarie Point.
Commitment to developing a new Antarctic and Science Precinct
is a key part of the Hobart City Deal, which was signed by the commonwealth,
state, and local governments in 2019.
Building on the
existing strength of our Gateway, a state-of-the-art Antarctic and Science
Precinct will attract further world-class science and research expertise to
Greater Hobart; act as a beacon for Hobart’s Antarctic Gateway status;
and complement the broader revitalisation of the Macquarie Point precinct.
The adjacent Macquarie
Wharf Redevelopment is key to future proofing the logistical capability of
the Hobart Port to meet the requirements of the Antarctic sector, including as
the home port of the Nuyina and many visiting international icebreakers
and research vessels. As the designated port for Antarctic vessels, the
redevelopment will see Macquarie Wharf upgraded with a suitable working port,
terminal and berthing space that will ensure Antarctic research vessels can
continue to be accommodated and enable future growth.
We
understand the Tasmanian Government are currently looking at a feasibility
study into alternative options for refuelling vessels. We note that
consideration of a fuel barge in Hobart has been the subject of discussion and
investigation since at least 2014 (link).
The City
of Hobart is supportive of a fuel barge allowing vessels to refuel at the Port
of Hobart without the need to transit under the Tasman Bridge, which is
currently a limiting factor for larger vessels, which means refuelling
elsewhere, including at the Burnie port.
These
port repairs and upgrades are urgent essential infrastructure for Hobart,
Tasmania and the nation.
Conclusion
The
City of Hobart is committed to maximising our Antarctic sectors’ advantages,
values and strengths and showcasing our Antarctic Gateway as a centre of
Antarctic excellence.
While Hobart’s
Antarctic and science sectors are strong and growing, their long-term future in
Hobart cannot be taken for granted.
Investment in our Antarctic and science infrastructure is an
investment in our local economy and Australia’s continued role in the
Antarctic.
Without a timely and appropriate investment in Hobart Port
and the new Antarctic and Science Precinct, our status as a premier gateway to
the Antarctic and Southern Ocean is at risk.
We would like the Inquiry to consider these
recommendations: -
1. Investment
in Antarctic and science infrastructure in Hobart is an investment in our local
economy and Australia’s continued role in the Antarctic.
2. Full
funding and development plans for the Macquarie Wharf upgrades and fuel barge
need to be finalised and announced as a matter of priority.
3. The
Tasmanian and Australian Governments should maintain an MOU for collaboration
and appropriate investment in Hobart as Australia’s Antarctic Gateway
city.
4. The
commitment in the Hobart City Deal to a new Antarctic and Science Precinct in
Hobart needs to be reinvigorated through discussions between the Tasmania and
Australian Governments, the University of Tasmania, CCAMLR and the City of
Hobart.
The City of Hobart
thanks the joint committee for the opportunity to contribute to this inquiry.
Should the opportunity to provide additional verbal evidence become available,
our Lord Mayor and CEO would welcome this.
