First Nations opposed and community ‘mixed’ on giving green light to $170m cableway

A new report has emerged detailing community and stakeholder sentiment for a possible cableway in the Gold Coast hinterland. Find out the details.

City Hall hopes of a hinterland cableway face staunch opposition with Gold Coast indigenous groups opposed, a new report reveals.

Mayor Tom Tate has been upbeat about his number one project getting off the ground with backing from the new Crisafulli Government after a recent personal catch-up with new state Tourism and Environment Minister Andrew Powell.

But a Gold Coast City Council officer’s updated report to the economy, tourism and events committee shows not only opposition from First Nations groups but a “mixed reception” from the indigenous community.

Hinterland-based councillor Glenn Tozer, who is neither for or against the cableway, said he was not surprised by the outcome of consultation. Picture Glenn Hampson

The parties with current and legacy rights and interests across the project area, leading up to Springbrook, included Danggan Balun and the Gold Coast Native Title Group (GCNTG).

“Danggan Balun provided formal advice that they do not support the Springbrook Cableway and do not want the project to proceed. The Gold Coast Native Title Group declined to participate in the consultation,” officers said.

Hinterland-based councillor Glenn Tozer, who is neither for or against the cableway, said he was not surprised by the outcome of consultation but believed it was time to hit the pause button on the project. Business leaders in the lead up to the state poll did not see it as a priority.

“What I am committed to is our engagement with First Nations people is genuine and respectful, and when the native title complainant has been so specific in their opposition to the concept, I think that creates a need for an appropriate pause,” he said.

Mr Tozer said the City needed to gather more information about specific routes and areas which might be impacted by a potential cableway and revisit.

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

“Frankly, my personal view, we should pause all of council’s work on the project until a proponent actually wants to deliver the project surfaces,” he said.

The updated report says more community consultation on tourism and cultural opportunities was undertaken on a 10km route in the Springbrook National Park.

Graphics in the report clearly show where council considers a future cableway will occur and where consultation was conducted. The area is immediately east of Purling Brook Falls.

Residents were asked if they supported the project or required more information. Data on their responses was not provided.

“Overall, the response was mixed, however there were some common themes across the stakeholders,” officers said.

“For those who responded ‘yes’ or ‘maybe’, the ultimate decision would hinge on addressing concerns adequately, with a clear commitment to prioritising the cultural, environmental, and economic interests of the First Nations communities in any development plans.

The cableway report to the Gold Coast City Council on the hinterland attraction.

“To advance the project, alignment options should be determined, and heritage due diligence assessment of alignments completed.”

Councillors will be asked at a meeting on Thursday to back a recommendation for further consultation, which is to use $500,000 available in funding.

The 2020 pre-feasibility assessment detailed construction costs of $170 million across three years creating 77 direct jobs during each year of construction and another 108 indirect jobs.

The report estimated the cableway would value add more than $150m to the economy along with $14 million in wages and salaries.

In the operational phase, the cableway’s revenue generation of $35.4 million

each year would support 59 ongoing jobs directly and another 53 jobs indirectly.

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Originally published as First Nations opposed and community ‘mixed’ on giving green light to $170m cableway