The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) is about to embark on an ambitious infrastructure renewal program to make Davis research station a safer, more comfortable and more energy efficient place to live and work.
The AAD signed an agreement in May with a construction and design consortium to deliver the $250m program of works, which will start with an upgrade of the station's water and power supplies.
"Davis can't sustain a full population because of water limitations," the Australian Antarctic Division's Director of Infrastructure Delivery, Matt Wuersching, said.
"It's the only station where we have to produce water - all the other stations have their own fresh water source."
Limited access to water means numbers on station also have to be restricted.
"At the moment we're restricted to between 63 and 73 expeditioners - down from a possible 88 - to manage the water," Mr Wuersching said.
