Councillors and Crisafulli on collision course with enviroment groups over cableway push

Bold plans for a job-creating, economy-boosting national park gondola - backed by most Gold Coast councillors and Premier David Crisafulli - are under attack.

Environmental groups and 1000 anti-cableway petition signatories are on a collision course with the Crisafulli Government and Gold Coast City over the bold eco-tourism proposal.

The City is explore a $170 million proposal in Springbrook national park, after a 10-5 vote to kick-start talks with the Crisafulli Government on a “memorandum of understanding”.

The city councillor backing, following new Premier David Crisafulli describing it pre-election as a potential “defining moment in Gold Coast tourism 2.0”, has sparked multiple environmental groups to join Coast community groups against it.

A prefeasibility study found a Springbrook cableway had potential to attract 580,000 passengers a year plus provide 267 construction jobs and 149 during operation.

It would add $37 million annually to the city’s economy.

Opponents claim no support from traditional owners and $500,000 of ratepayer money will be wasted on consultation, saying it lacks a proponent and detail.

A Skyrail rainforest cableway gondola sails above the rainforest canopy on the Macalister Range National Park at Smithfield. The Gold Coast council is investigating a similar one. Picture: Brendan Radke

The Queensland Conservation Council says the Premier has indicated to the group he would not support any gondola damaging the environment.

But pre-election Mr Crisafulli said “absolutely” when asked if keen for a cableway, adding: “I love council has got an ambitious dream to make something like that happen but it has to be done to the highest environmental standard.

“We have so much potential in the space and if we are objectively looking at tourism, we haven’t developed eco tourism for a generation in this state. I cannot think of a better place to do it than the Coast.”

A Queensland Conservation Council statement says: “We are calling on him to publicly rule out support for any project that involves impacts with national parks, especially World Heritage areas, or proposals opposed by traditional owner.”

QCC protected areas campaigner Nicky Moffat said the council needed to either come clean on plans, or preferably to abandon what it called a flawed project.

“The public still don’t have the details of the cable car, where it will go, or who the proponent is,” Ms Moffat said.

“The native title applicants for the study area are opposed, and council has committed $500,000 on a project that appears to be a non-starter because of the likely environmental impacts on Springbrook National Park and lack of traditional owner consent.”

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

GECKO campaigner Lois Levy said councillors should have a rethink.

“Gecko urges council to find another project to celebrate the unique natural and cultural values of our World Heritage listed National Parks.

“We strongly recommend investigating a world-class World Heritage Centre either at Springbrook or Mudgeeraba with the opportunity for locally-based tourism companies to take visitors to various sites in the hinterland.

“As a conservationist involved in the original and subsequent cableway proposals all of which failed to recognise the environmental damage and safety risks of such a project, I urge Council to give up.”

National Parks Association of Queensland CEO Chris Thomas urged a “considered approach”.

He said tourism benefits from natural assets bringing visitors and prosperity.

“But tourism in protected areas will be hindered by an approach that takes shortcuts around necessary community consultation,” he said.

“We urge the Crisafulli Government to have a more considered approach and to value the opinions and expertise of traditional owners, local residents, tour operators, conservationists, and the scientific community who all treasure this renowned world heritage area.”

Mayor Tom Tate has said any cableway would be funded by council and state, with First Nations people approval.

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