Mt Coot-tha Zipline project facing court challenge

Brisbane City Council’s signature Mount Coot-tha Zipline project could be stalled for a significant amount of time for after angry residents launched legal action against the controversial tourist attraction.

BRISBANE City Council’s Mount Coot-tha Zipline could be hit with significant delays after residents lodged court action against the proposed tourist attraction.

The Mount Coot-tha Protection Alliance Incorporated lodged an appeal against the zipline in the Planning and Environment Court today, calling for “each component” of the project to be refused.

In a 16 page submission to the court, the Alliance argued that the project should be scrapped for a range of reasons, including alleged impacts to the visual and acoustic amenity of the mountain.

Council will feel ratepayers’ wrath over Mt Coot-tha zipline

Zipline tourist numbers same as Uluru, Skyrail

Council rips down anti-zipline signs

Mt Coot-tha zipline land clearing prompts question on what council counts as a tree

Graham Quirk can’t remember who came up with zipline idea

Opinion: Mt Coot-tha zipline is merely a monument to Lord Mayor

Mt Coot-tha zipline: What happens now

Zipline to be tied up ‘for years’ in legal action

They also claimed the development would lead to the destruction of significant areas of vegetation and “adversely impact” on animals living in the areas, such as koalas and the Powerful Owl.

“The land … is currently improved by landscaped areas, minor carparking, trails, picnic areas and children’s playgrounds typical of those found in a large public park,” the submission says.

The Mt Coot-tha Zipline project could be delayed while the matter is before the court.

It is understood the project could be delayed while the matter is before the court.

Brisbane City Council announced it had approved the construction of the zipline in February, despite nearly 90 per cent of the more than 3,600 submissions made to the council’s planning team objecting to the project.

A Council spokesman confirmed it would defend the matter in court.

“As part of the development application prepared, Council submitted 17 different ecological reports prepared by expert external consultants totalling more than 3000 pages,” he said.

“Due to the extensive work undertaken, Council is confident that all potential impacts including environmental, visual, heritage and traffic have been considered and properly addressed.”

Designs of the proposed suspension bridge at Mt Coot-tha.

The project includes a 1.5km treetop canopy tour, a 335m suspension bridge and a fast paced 1km zipline from Mount Coot-tha’s summit to the Mount Coot-Tha Botanic Gardens.

The council had planned to start construction within months.

Mount Coot-Tha Protection Alliance spokesman Peter Hale said the project was a “bad idea from a whole lot of perspectives”.

“It’s not eco-tourism like (the council) says it is,” he said.

“There will be negative impacts on threatened species, including the Powerful Owl, the koala and the greater glider.”