Revealed: The proponent for a Gold Coast cableway is not based at Springbrook but further north

The Bulletin can for the first time reveal details of the new cableway plan being looked at by council, with a radically different route to previous proposals on the cards.

There’s a secret cableway proponent. The real shock about this news will be the location. Forget about Springbrook.

At the most recent Economy, Tourism and Events committee meeting, Hinterland councillor Glenn Tozer put forward a motion at that council meeting not proceed with consultation “until a proponent expresses interest in writing”.

He was backed by several councillors with a stunning 4-3 vote. That result could be turned around at Tuesday’s full council meeting when Tom Tate returns to chair it.

The Mayor loves the $170m cableway project being investigated by the City in the World Heritage national park.

Outside the meeting, Mr Tozer said: “Look my strategy today was to flush out a proponent.” He had asked numerous questions of officers before putting forward the successful motion.

“I think it is a poor use of ratepayer money to continue to talk about a proposal we don’t have the details for. I’m not either for or against cableway. However, I think we need to have conversation about a real proponent, I know one is out there.”

The Gold Coast cableway debate. Hinterland councillor Glenn Tozer (pictured left) wants more information on locations. Mayor Tom Tate (right) is a big supporter of the Springbrook location.

He offered up no further information. Your columnist spoke to well-placed sources at City Hall and they are not aware of a proponent.

But a few calls later and a business source not just confirmed a location. A consortium of interested parties have held several meetings with council officers.

The City is pouring $500,000 of ratepayer money on consultation around the Purling Brook Falls.

Area in the Gold Coast hinterland being considered for the proposed cableway. This is where consultation has occurred. Graphic: Gold Coast City Council.

Tamborine Mountain is the only other logical location mentioned in the past two decades. But the new site is further north – on the Darlington Range.

Try looking for a six kilometre ridge up from Upper Ormeau Road and Oxenford Tamborine Road. The site is mostly of freehold and a small parcel of council-owned thick bushland.

“It’s do-able. It would have to be an indigenous investment, one that is different to a cableway in Springbrook,” the businessman said.

“It would be a koala sanctuary development. It would be something of enduring environmental significance.

“It’s early stages but the First Nations people are not only on board but involved in the detail.

“Springbrook has zero chance (with that). You have a mob up there (of residents and environmentalists) who are pretty vocal led by serious people who are good at what they do.”

Flashback to 2000 – conservationists and Springbrook residents at Purlingbrook. Picture: Adam Ward.

Some of the ridge site is former cattle country. It can be redeveloped with the regeneration plans including a koala hospital. Indigenous rangers would teach tourists how to cook bush tucker, the businessman said.

“It’s five to ten minutes off the highway and you’re up. It’s that quick. There’s a beautiful view out to Cunningham’s Gap and east to the coast,” he said.

“It would be a combination of Currumbin Bird Sanctuary, Fleays and Lone Pine wrapped into one – ten times bigger. It’s a naturally beautiful place. It’s easy to manage, easy to develop. It will cause zero problems.”

My hope is councillors ask some questions about this development on Tuesday.

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