Former Navy vessel HMAS Darwin will be stripped of all its military paraphernalia by the federal government.
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However, the cost of scuttling the vessel is still to be determined, as the state and federal governments continue to work through the funding details.
Ex-HMAS Darwin was gifted to the Tasmanian Government by the federal government last week, after a long-running bid for the ship.
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It is expected to be scuttled off the East Coast for use as a dive wreck for tourists.
A federal Defence Department spokesperson said the state and federal governments were working through the funding costs associated with the scuttling.
“Prior to transfer of ownership to the Tasmanian Government, the Department of Defence will complete the demilitarisation and removal of equipment, not required for ex-HMAS Darwin’s use as a dive wreck,” a Defence spokesperson said.
“The Tasmanian Government is then responsible for the removal of all hazardous material and preparation of ex-HMAS Darwin for future use, including meeting all environmental and safety requirements.”
The spokesperson said this was the same process used for the transfer of ownership of ex-HMAS Tobruk, after the Queensland Government won its bid over Tasmania in 2016.
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Tasmanian senator Steve Martin, who was instrumental in securing ex-HMAS Darwin for Tasmania, said it would be up to the state government how it funded the vessel’s scuttling.
However, he would assist the state government if required.
“I would be happy to assist the Tasmanian Government if it requires help in lobbying the federal government for funds to scuttle ex-HMAS Darwin,” Senator Martin said.
The federal government announced Tasmania had won its bid for ex-HMAS Darwin on August 9.
At the time, Senator Martin said he would be lobbying for the state government to provide funding for the vessel to be stripped at a Tasmanian port.
“The process of stripping ex-HMAS Darwin in Tasmania would create even more jobs and economic activity before its scuttling on the East Coast of Tasmania,” Senator Martin said.
State Growth Minister Peter Gutwein said the government would continue to work with the federal government on how the scuttling would be funded.
“Now that access to the ship has been confirmed, the government will undertake the necessary due diligence to assess the total cost to the state associated with the vessel’s scuttling, prior to making a final decision whether to proceed or not,” he said.
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