Fate of controversial Gold Coast cableway to be decided by $400,000 report
After 25 years of debate, Gold Coast's most contentious environmental project faces its final test as councillors approve funding despite warnings it could be “knocked out”.
The proposed hinterland cableway is arguably the Gold Coast’s single longest environmental battle.
After 25 years, everything points to this project reaching its final chapter.
The City administration led by chief executive Tim Baker clearly wants a “definitive” answer.
Mr Baker, at a full council meeting on Tuesday, admitted to councillors that several factors — environment, First Nations, community backlash — could “knock this out”.
“So what is proposed is to spend an amount of money — which will give us a definitive answer whether or not this project can fly on the Gold Coast,” he said.
A super majority of councillors baulked on a $1.1m spend, agreeing to $400,000.
As ratepayers, what are you going to get from this “options analysis”?
A councillor told your columnist: “The next report coming back, if it doesn’t have a line on the map for $400,000 for a preferred route, it will be killed.”
Privately, councillors are frustrated they have been debating a project covering a huge chunk of the hinterland but still have no idea where the cableway will be located.
Mapping provided in reports so far covers Mudgeeraba through to Springbrook.
In a separate presentation, there has been a Tamborine Mountain route by one proponent.
“I wouldn’t have a clue on the Springbrook location. I don’t come from that neck of the woods,” a councillor said.
The debate now splinters — councillors and officers are divided on whether a workable route can be found, and differ on whether new federal environment laws support cableways.
Some councillors believe the gondola route can skirt around the World Heritage listed area, but City sources closest to the project strongly disagree.
“No, in Springbrook, they can’t do a cableway route outside the World Heritage Area. They can obviously do one at Tamborine,” a City source told your columnist.
Councillors believe the majority of the remaining $400,000 in the budget will be spent on identifying the best tourist ride — the rest on consultation with First Nation leaders.
An officer at the briefing said: “This is not easy. There is a not a clear route. There are a number of options.”
In the public gallery on Tuesday, Respect Springbrook Mountain Coalition leader Lois Levy in held a thick volume of the environmental assessment study for the ultimately grounded original proposal from 2000.
Officers say there are four Australian consortia, and an estimated 20 potential overseas ones. A profitable ride for a proponent must surely have the Purlingbrook Falls in sight lines.
The final hurdle relates to the new laws and how they apply to World Heritage Area.
“There are some who think it will be easier but I believe it will be harder. It feels like it (the laws) will help the housing and mining industries but not heritage areas. They’ve written them off,” the City source says.
By mid-next year, your ratepayer-paid report is expected to be ready to be debated.
Then awaits a final risky decision — whether to spend millions of dollars to go forward or not.
Morning prankster
The cableway debate ended in laughter this week thanks to ABC radio host Tom Forbes.
Councillor Glenn Tozer was being interviewed when the veteran journalist interrupted him to take a phone call from “Mayor Tom Tate”.
“I have a vision we move all the old people out of the Tweed and sent them up the cablecar and they live in Springbrook,” the caller said.
The councillor listened intently, thought the gruff voice could be the Mayor’s but used this logic in realising it was an impersonator — Mr Tate is not an regular morning radio listener.
“I thought it was a set piece, that it was them being funny. It was an impersonator, who struck a wrong un and got through the keeper,” he said.
Mayor’s explanation
Why did Tom Tate seek to be reimbursed for his personal defamation case?
The shock story included a request for $450,000, revised to $100, and it all going to charity.
City sources say the Mayor had been pondering this for months.
All of it relates to a Four Corners story — that was eight years ago — none of it must sit well with his gut.
Mr Tate had the money for a legal fight, a future mayor may be less wealthy and inclined.
“The City has to have resources to go out there and say ‘right, go out there and defend the city’. Not every mayor has any bullets in their wallet,” he told your columnist.
On the mend
During the final marathon full council meeting, Joe Wilkinson barely spoke.
Your columnist investigated and asked staffers, only to see him walk outside with a black mask.
The councillor has been knocked out for days with a bug and showed great ticker turning up.
Jolly fellows
Tom Tate and Peter Young about 1pm on Tuesday left the chamber as colleagues discussed the Mayor seeking reimbursement of legal costs for his personal defamation case.
Staff had prepared lunch.
Deputy Mayor Mark Hammel chaired debate behind closed doors for an hour, in an emotional debate where sources say at least one older councillor was in tears.
By day’s end, the Mayor was full of Christmas goodwill, saying: “I think it was quite collegiate (at the meeting today) until I was out of the room. You and I had a wonderful time at our private Christmas lunch — Councillor Peter Young — until we got to dessert and I had to leave the room.”
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Originally published as Fate of controversial Gold Coast cableway to be decided by $400,000 report
