Hobart begins tearing down Macquarie Wharf 6 to make way for new icebreaker dock
Work has started on dismantling Macquarie Wharf 6 in Hobart, a five-month project that will create a modern berth for the Antarctic icebreaker RSV Nuyina.
A complex deconstruction of Hobart’s aging Macquarie Wharf 6 has commenced, marking the first phase of a broader port modernisation scheme in Tasmania. TasPorts chief Allan Gray said the project will carefully break down more than 12,900 tonnes of concrete, steel and timber, using a 280-tonne crawler crane and excavators equipped with rock breakers, shears and pulverisers. Protective silt curtains and continuous marine-life monitoring will mitigate environmental impact on the River Derwent.
Funded with $188 million from the federal government, the effort also includes upgrades to wharves 4 and 5 and aims to deliver a state-of-the-art berth for the RSV Nuyina by 2028. Federal MP Julie Collins praised the work as vital for maintaining Hobart’s role as a gateway to Antarctica. The state is still negotiating a refuelling solution for Nuyina, which currently must travel 674 km to Burnie because it cannot pass under the Tasman Bridge due to stability concerns.
Why it matters
The project secures Hobart’s position as Australia’s main portal for Antarctic research and improves regional port infrastructure.
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