The Australian Antarctic Division is exploring the environmental impacts of having a concrete runway on Antarctica

Antarctic researcher and University of Tasmania associate Dr Shaun Brooks said the proposal would double the current environmental footprint of humans on Antarctica.

In 2018, the Australian government announced its intention to build a 2.7km paved runway near Davis research station.

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Dr Brooks is speaking out about his concerns now because he believes the project has "stayed under the radar" too long.

"It will have the largest environmental impact on the continent in history, from a single project," he said.

"That is very significant and deserves a high level of public scrutiny."

Australia's 20 Year Action Plan refers to the country as leaders in "environmental stewardship, comprehensive environmental protection and ecosystem conservation in Antarctica".

Dr Brooks believes this proposal is a clear deviation from that plan.

His concerns don't just lie with the destruction of environment which would be required to build the runway.

He said flying planes over known wildlife habitats would significantly disturb those animals.

Davis Aerodrome project manager Stuart Gibson said the Australian Antarctic Division was doing everything possible to understand and minimise the environmental impact.

He said researchers were in the field gathering environmental baselines right now.

"If it is approved to go ahead, the project will have unavoidable environmental impacts," he said.

"The project is subject to one of the highest levels of environmental scrutiny, both nationally and internationally."

To be approved the project will need to be assessed under the Antarctic Treat Act and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act.

It will also be released for public comment as part of that process.

Mr Gibson said if approved the aerodrome would significantly improve access to the continent and would enhance Tasmania's reputation as a gateway to Antarctica.

"It would provide rapid and reliable means of accessing the continent year round - improving resupply logistics, offering an ability to transport people and cargo at any time of the year," he said

"Access to the continent is one of the most significant barriers facing the Antarctic community."

He said other access options were considered but were deemed to be unreliable.

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