Scientific Panel Narrowly Recommended South Africa Over Australia for the Proposed Square Kilometre Array (SKA). (March 10, 2012)

NatureNews reports that a source familiar with the site-selection process says there: "is not an enormous preference for one over the other." And NatureNews elaborates: "The South African site has some compelling advantages: construction costs are lower, and it sits at a higher altitude. But the Australian site would be cheaper to insure, and is less likely to be encroached on by future development. The margin in favour of the winner was extremely narrow, the source says.  Members of the SKA's board will meet on 19 March in Manchester, UK, to discuss the scientific panel's recommendations. The closed meeting will also provide the two bidders with the opportunity to contest any of the panel's recommendations. After the meeting, the SKA's board will write a commentary to accompany the recommendation, which will inform the final decision."

Apparently the bids are considered so close that both are still considered to still be in the race. The voting board members may announce their final decision as early as the 4^th of April.