Gold Coast cableway: Plans to build Hinterland cableway tourist attraction by 2023

More than $1 million will be poured into getting a cableway built in the Gold Coast Hinterland by 2023, with two locations considered frontrunners.

MORE than $1 million will be poured into getting a cableway built in the Gold Coast Hinterland by 2023.

Mayor Tom Tate has proposed funding a study on the controversial project in this year’s council budget in the hopes of gaining state and federal government approval within 18 months.

His plan to make the project a reality after 22 years of debate will go before councillors in May – providing he wins the March 28 election.

COUNCIL GREEN-LIGHTS CABLEWAY STUDY

The Gold Coast cableway is set to be made a council priority after this year’s election.

It includes:

* The council to fund a $1 million feasibility and environmental impact study to be completed by mid-2021.

* The study will determine the most suitable Hinterland location. Springbrook and Tamborine Mountain are both frontrunners.

* It would be built over State-owned forest and not cross private properties.

* The project will be submitted to the State Government for approval in mid-late 2021 with the aim for a 2023 opening date, the same year as light rail Stage 3A.

* Once built, a private operator would be brought in to run the system, similar to the Coast’s ferry service and light rail.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate. Picture Glenn Hampson.

Tourism, business and city leaders say the cableway is an essential cog to boost tourism and draw international visitors to the Hinterland.

Cr Tate said committing funding was the first step towards delivering the project.

“The $1 million will get us to the level where we will have a full concept and options (for locations) which can be put to the State for preliminary assessment,” he said.

“It’s the start of a new decade and now is the time to get this ready because it will act as a magnet for tourists and open up the Hinterland to other sectors of the community who may not be able to enjoy it otherwise, such as seniors and those with mobility issues.

PRESSURE ON STATE TO BACK CABLEWAY

Civic leaders say a cableway would be an essential piece of tourism infrastructure for the city. Picture: Tom Lee

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“And it makes economic sense because it will generate a positive cashflow.”

Cr Tate said the study would investigate creating a flora and fauna education centre at the top terminus of the cableway.

He vowed there would be community consultation performed as part of the study to determine public support for the project before it is submitted to the State Government.

Future MP Ray Stevens was part of the Naturelink proposal which pitched a cableway between Mudgeeraba and Springbrook in 1998. It was scuttled by the Beattie Government in the lead-up to the 2001 state election. Various other proposals have been pitched in the past 20 years.

Tourism Minister Kate Jones. (AAP Image/Glenn Hunt)

While the fate of council’s project ultimately rests with the State Government, the Hinterland’s rainforests are protected by the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, requiring the Federal Government to give its blessing.

Tourism Minister Kate Jones yesterday said the State Government would consider council’s proposal once submitted.

“Any proposal for a cableway in the Gold Coast Hinterland would have to stack up environmentally in order to get approval at a state or federal level,” she said.