Alternative location for Brisbane zipline

A SOUTHSIDE suburb has been touted as an alternative site for Brisbane City Council’s zipline tourism project, as opposition to the Mt Coot-tha proposal grows. VOTE IN POLL

There are amazing ziplines all around the world and Brisbane is destined to have one, according to Brisbane City Council.

MT Gravatt has been touted as an alternative site for Brisbane City Council’s zipline tourism project.

A Development Application has been lodged for a zipline and canopy walk at Mt Coot-tha.

The plans have been met with some resistance from the community who fear the noise of the zipline will impact locals and wildlife.

However, veteran Mt Gravatt businessman Michael Sunderland from Karalis Real Estate told the Southern Star a zipline and/or gondala was once proposed for the Mt Gravatt lookout and that it was time council take another look at the potential of such a project.

Designs for the zipline at Mt Coot-tha have been unveiled and have caused outrage in the community.

Mr Sunderland, who was the chamber of commerce president at the time, said the late Arthur Scurr of Scurr Bros was keen on the idea and thought it would put Mt Gravatt on the map.

A meeting took place about 18 years ago with a number of influencial businessmen and politicians about the proposed project including Jim Soorley (Labor Lord Mayor of Brisbane from 1991 to 2003), Kerry Rea (Holland Park Ward, Brisbane City Council 1997-2007), Judy Spence (Member for Mt Gravatt until 2009) and businessman Ross Palmer.

Mt Gravatt Lookout at sunset. Photo: Kristy Muir

The idea of taking the gondolas to the nearby universities and the QEII stadium was also floated.

“They don’t want it at Mt Coot-tha, so this would be the perfect place,” he said of Mt Gravatt.

“The beauty of it is if they do it here, they will save Mt Gravatt Central businesses and will save all the hassles at Mt Coot-tha.

Mt Gravatt business people are keen to see the “real mountain” become a tourist hotspot.

“The zipline can come here and we can incorporate the gondolas too.

“Back in (2000) it was too big of a challenge unfortunately to make it happen.

“Dreams are free … but it will save the area (Mt Gravatt Central).

Mr Scurr’s wife Ailsa told the Southern Star her husband “lived for Mt Gravatt” and he would support any project that brightened the future of the area.

Mrs Scurr recalled her husband talking about having a tourist attraction on the mountain whether it was a chairlift, zipline or gondala.

Proposed area for the Mt Coot-tha zipline.

“I think it would be a boost for Mt Gravatt,” she said.

“He would have loved to see Mt Gravatt going forward.

Although Mrs Scurr said she didn’t know what he would make of all the highrise apartments.

“Arthur always had his finger in a lot of pies,” she said.

Councillor Krista Adams said: “Mt Gravatt is one of Brisbane’s vibrant suburban hubs and I continue to work with the community to ensure it is a great place to live, work and relax.

Karalis Real Estate’s Michael Sunderland.

A direct line runs from Mt Gravatt lookout to the showgrounds. Photo: Michael Sunderland/Karalis Real Estate

“The Mt Gravatt community are passionate about their suburb and it is fantastic to see them thinking out of the box to boost business in the area.

“While a gondola and zipline from the Mt Gravatt summit to the showgrounds has merit, such an infrastructure project would require a business case and support from the Mt Gravatt Showgrounds Trust.

A man enjoying a zipline.

“Brisbane is on the verge of an exciting period, with new lifestyle and leisure opportunities creating more to see and do right across the city.

“The Mt Coot-tha Zipline is an exciting project that people from right across the city and world will be able to experience Brisbane’s unique natural habitat like they never have before.”

Zipline opponent, Indooroopilly’s Bron Raftery, said one of their group attended a Brisbane City Council drop-in session about the project on August 10.

Indooroopilly resident Born Rafferty is concerned about the amount of noise from a proposed mega zipline from Mt Coot-tha summit. Picture: AAP/David Clark

They were told by a council planner that they had not looked at alternative locations for the zipline.

The Mt Gravatt Showgrounds Trust and Zipline Australia have been contacted for comment.

Detailed designs for the Mt Coot-tha zipline have been unveiled.

About the Mt Coot-tha project

Brisbane City Council, in conjunction with an external planning company and Zipline Australia has now lodged the development application for the Mt Coot-tha zipline. Council is confident the zipline will be built and run in a way that is sensitive to Mt Coot-tha, while providing a range of environmental, social, cultural, learning and economic benefits for the precinct.

Development application lodged 3 September 2018. The development application can be viewed online at Brisbane Planning and Development Online, application number A005011420.

Brisbane-based company Zipline Australia, has been selected to design, build, operate and maintain the zipline. The proposed zipline design, subject to planning and permit approvals, will consist of three experiences: treetop canopy tour, scenic zipline tour and indigenous cultural heritage tour and skywalk.