Rhode Island is preparing for a high-profile diplomatic visit next week, as U.S. Senator Jack Reed announced that he will be hosting Dr. Kevin Rudd, the Australian Ambassador to the United States, for a two-day tour of the Ocean State. The visit, slated for October 15 and 16, will focus on expanding economic, academic, and defense partnerships between Australia and Rhode Island, particularly as part of the broader U.S.-Australia alliance.

Dr. Rudd, a former Prime Minister of Australia, will accompany Senator Reed on visits to several key sites, including defense manufacturing facilities, universities, and local businesses. The visit comes as the United States and Australia deepen their ties through AUKUS, a trilateral security partnership involving Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, aimed at strengthening defense cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.

“I look forward to welcoming Ambassador Rudd to Rhode Island,” Senator Reed said in a statement. “Australia and the United States are steadfast allies, and through AUKUS, we are not only enhancing our national defense but also creating economic opportunities for our citizens. I hope this visit will increase the flow of business, commerce, and tourism between our nations, and particularly here in Rhode Island.”

Rhode Island plays a crucial role in the U.S. defense landscape, with facilities such as Electric Boat’s submarine manufacturing site in Quonset Point, the Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Newport, and the Naval War College. These sites, along with the state’s growing defense manufacturing sector, contribute to Rhode Island’s booming Blue Economy, fostering technological advancements and innovation.

Senator Reed, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, has been a leading advocate for U.S.-Australia defense collaboration. He recently helped pass AUKUS-related legislation enabling the sale of advanced U.S.-made submarines to Australia’s Royal Navy, a move that is expected to bolster the industrial bases of all three AUKUS partners.

During the visit, Senator Reed plans to highlight Rhode Island’s contributions to U.S. defense capabilities. On October 15, Reed and Rudd will hold a media event outside Electric Boat’s Quonset Point facility, where they will discuss the significance of the AUKUS partnership and the role Rhode Island plays in strengthening the defense alliance.

The U.S. and Australian armed forces have a long history of collaboration, having fought side by side in every major conflict since World War I. Australia, which hosted more than 150,000 U.S. troops during World War II, remains a key U.S. ally in the Pacific.

Economic ties between the two countries are also robust. According to the International Monetary Fund, Australia is the 13th-largest economy in the world, and in 2023, total trade between the U.S. and Australia reached $47.1 billion. U.S. exports to Australia support over 172,000 American jobs, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Ambassador Rudd’s visit aims to reinforce these diplomatic, defense, and economic relationships, further integrating Rhode Island into the evolving U.S.-Australia alliance.

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The amendment would “prohibit the development of new gas stations within city limits, while prioritizing the development and installation of [electric vehicle] charging stations across Providence,” according to language released Wednesday evening. The original draft of the comprehensive plan only sought to “discourage” future gas stations.

Neither Goncalves nor other city staff were able to say precisely how many gas stations are licensed and operating in the city, but business listings on Google indicate it is somewhere in the ballpark of 40.

If approved, Providence’s last newly-constructed gas station would be the Neon Marketplace on Kinsley Avenue, which opened in 2022.

Goncalves said he was not aware of any other east coast cities that have banned new gas stations, but several have in California as part of a movement that is still small but growing among climate advocates. The first city to ban new gas pumps was Petaluma, Calif., in 2021, according to the Los Angeles Times.

“It’s important that we’re leading the way in reducing some of our carbon emissions and promoting a cleaner, greener energy future,” Goncalves told the Globe. “I think Providence can take the lead here.”

The city’s current goal is for municipal buildings and vehicles to be carbon neutral by 2040, with the entire city hitting that goal by 2050. Governor Dan McKee has sought to end the import of gas-powered cars for sale in Rhode Island by 2035.

The proposal would not close any existing gas stations, and business owners would be able to transfer gas station ownership to new owners, according to council staff. But new gas stations would be prohibited once the comprehensive plan is formalized in city zoning ordinance, which is expected to happen after the comprehensive plan — essentially a vision document — is passed.

“Existing stations will continue to serve our community, remaining a valuable resource,” Goncalves said. He acknowledged that the council has not done a market demand study to determine whether Providence has enough gas pumps.

In addition to climate goals, Goncalves said new gas stations should be prohibited so that available land can be used for housing. The council previously banned new self-storage facilities for a similar reason.

Mayor Brett Smiley did not immediately weigh in on whether new gas stations should be banned, but criticized the last-minute amendment by the council. Spokesperson Josh Estrella noted the new comprehensive plan is the “result of two years of meaningful community engagement and over 80 public meetings in every neighborhood,” which were attended by city councilors.

“Amendments passed at the eleventh hour disrespect the thoughtful and diligent process we went through to develop this plan with our community,” Estrella said. “The mayor will review and evaluate this amendment and every amendment introduced today with that same diligence.”

Smiley has the power to veto the plan if approved by the council, but the council can override a veto with a two-thirds majority.

The City Council is in the final weeks of vetting the overall comprehensive plan before it becomes official, and proposed several other amendments Wednesday. The council opted not to eliminate parking minimums — which require housing developments include a certain number of parking spots — citywide, a demand from some public transit advocates.

Instead, the proposal says the council will work on eliminating the parking minimums in certain zones of the city, which have not yet been disclosed. (The parking minimums already don’t apply to downtown or the I-195 redevelopment district.)

A final hearing for the public to testify before the Ordinance Committee is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. next Wednesday at City Hall.

Steph Machado can be reached at steph.machado@globe.com. Follow her @StephMachado.

TIVERTON, R.I. (WLNE) — West Place Animal Sanctuary is honoring Erna the Crested Pekin Duck, Rhode Island’s oldest-known duck who lived to be 17-and-a-half years old.

Erna was the sanctuary’s first rescue, and the last member of the original group of animals rescued in 2007.

The animal sanctuary plans to remember Erna at the entrance to the property, with a headstone and plants, titled “Erna’s Garden” once completed.

“We never really did anything special with this area, but we decided that Erna deserved something a little more than just a proper headstone,” Executive Director Wendy Taylor said. “We’ve been working on this for the past week or so, and we’ll continue to work on it until we finish.”

Taylor said Erna was more than just a rescue, but also a motherly figure to other animals at the sanctuary.

“I don’t think West Place would’ve been able to do what we’ve done all this time if it hadn’t been for her,” Taylor said. “Her fostering was in the hundreds, we stopped counting many years ago.”

Taylor described Erna as “spunky” and a “tomboy” as a younger duck, who grew with love through motherhood.

“When she got into her older years, that was when she had that old grandmotherly love to give,” Taylor said.  “That’s when all the other birds started taking care of her, it really was a full life cycle for her.”

Erna is survived by her daughter Sesame and nephew Duncan, who has the potential to pass Erna’s memorable age, coming up on 16-and-a-half years old.

Taylor told ABC 6 News that Crested Pekin Ducks usually live between eight to twelve years, which is why Erna’s age is so significant.

West Place Sanctuary is a finalist in the Land Rover Defender Service Awards, according to Taylor, who said anyone who wishes to support the organization can vote online.

“We were going to participate in this anyway,” Taylor said. “But once it started and we lost Erna, now we know we really need to win this in her honor.”