CONTRACTORS have been hired by the Defence Department to take the former HMAS Otama submarine away from where it languishes in the shallows at Crib Point to be scrapped.
A vessel capable of carrying the Otama is expected to arrive in Western Port today (Wednesday) and leave with its cargo on 19 September.
Western Port Oberon Association Max Bryant last Friday made a last-minute appeal to Defence Minister Richard Marles to save the Otama.
Informed sources say the 140 metre, 12,000 tonne Rolldock Sun semi-submersible is expected to arrive in Western Port this week and depart with the Otama aboard on 19 September.
Parks Victoria has told the association that it will consider requests from the association for “sections or items” of the Otama but must be able to prove it has land for them to be stored.
In an impassioned letter to Marles, Bryant has detailed the history of the association’s acquisition of the Otama 20 years ago and plans for it to be the centrepiece of a tourism attraction.
“After careful research we had discovered that throughout the world wherever museums had a submarine they were an extremely viable business,” Bryant said.
He said the Otama had been moored in Western Port ever since and had not been offered any help by the federal government despite its future depending on being hauled onto dry land.
“The federal government of the time and in particular the local federal member failed to offer any assistance during his time as a member of parliament.” Greg Hunt was MP for Flinders 2001-2022.
In July 2020 Parks Victoria had declared the Otama an environmental hazard and ordered its removal from Western Port.
“We have at all times worked tirelessly in our endeavours to remove Otama to a safe location on land. Unfortunately, without government help it became a daunting task. Eventually Parks made the decision to seize Otama …”
Bryant said it was “disputable if they [ Parks] have to power to do so” and alleged “bullying tactics” had been used by a Defence Department official to make the association either sell the submarine for $1 or have it “taken” from the association.
“Now Defence Disposal have colluded with Parks Victoria to remove our property and dispose of that property as they see fit, in this case have it cut up for scrap,” Bryant said, adding it would cost $5 million for this to be done by a vessel from Western Australia.
He said Defence could have saved money and helped the association bring the Otama ashore for $500,000.
‘It just beggars belief that Defence would waste so much money when there is such a simple solution which would be a win win for all.”
Bryant said abandoning the Otama project would potentially see the loss of 200 jobs as well as “platform” to help veterans and “a lifeline to the local depressed business community”.
“Minister, the advantages are endless, but it will not happen without your support,” Bryant said in his letter to Marles. “Time is of essence, as we believe the arrival of a heavy lift ship to take Otama away is imminent.
First published in the Western Port News – 14 September 2022
