More than 12,900 tonnes of ageing wharf structure will be dismantled at the Port of Hobart over the next five months, as work begins to demolish Macquarie Wharf 6 and build a new home berth for Australia’s icebreaker RSV Nuyina.
Posted
05 August 2026
More than 12,900 tonnes of ageing wharf structure will be dismantled at the Port of Hobart over the next five months, as work begins to demolish Macquarie Wharf 6 and build a new home berth for Australia’s icebreaker RSV Nuyina.
Macquarie Wharf 6 is the first stage of the broader Macquarie Wharf Redevelopment Project, one of TasPorts' largest infrastructure investments and a key pillar of its strategy to modernise Tasmania's port network.
Federal Minister for the Environment and Water Murray Watt said the demolition marked a key step in delivering the nationally significant project, which is underpinned by a $188 million investment from the Albanese Government.
“The start of demolition on Macquarie Wharf 6 is a critical step in delivering a modern home port for the RSV Nuyina and a stronger gateway to the Southern Ocean and Antarctic,” Minister Watt said.
Member for Franklin Julie Collins said the Albanese Government is continuing to invest in modern and reliable infrastructure for our Antarctic researchers.
“It’s terrific to see this vital upgrade is underway to ensure our facilities are up to the task of supporting our world-leading Antarctic researchers and scientists, Minister Collins said.
“Hobart is a crucial hub for Antarctic and Southern Ocean science in Australia. We’re proud to be investing in Tasmania to ensure it remains our gateway to Antarctica for years to come.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Kerry Vincent, said seeing the demolition get underway was an exciting step forward.
“This work will pave the way to build a fit-for-purpose home for Australia’s Antarctic icebreaker, the RSV Nuyina,” Minister Vincent said.
“Not only does this project support Tasmanian jobs, it also secures Hobart as Australia's gateway to Antarctica and the Southern Ocean exploration.”
TasPorts CEO, Captain Allan Gray, said reaching the demolition phase reflected months of careful planning and preparation by the project team and delivery partners.
“Deconstructing a structure of this size over water is a genuinely complex undertaking. More than 12,900 tonnes of concrete, steel, and timber all need to be carefully separated, broken down and removed.
“Our construction partner, Hazell Brady Joint Venture is demolishing the wharf in sections to prioritise safety and minimise the environmental impact. Once that is done, we move into construction and piling for the new wharf,” Captain Gray said.
Specialised marine equipment has been mobilised on site to carefully dismantle the existing wharf structure, including a 280-tonne crawler crane.
Excavators fitted with rock breakers, shears and pulveriser attachments are being used to deconstruct the wharf piece by piece.
Falling material is captured in locally made custom bin barges, positioned beneath the wharf deck, before being removed for processing and recycled on land.
“With works taking place on the River Derwent, environmental controls, including protective silt curtains and marine-life monitoring, are in place to protect the local environment throughout the works,” Captain Gray said.
Delivered in stages, the broader Macquarie Wharf Redevelopment Project will deliver upgrades to wharves 4, 5 and 6, providing efficient, resilient, and sustainable infrastructure to support Antarctic, freight, and cruise operations.
Practical completion of the Macquarie Wharf 6 project remains on track for August 2028.