Cable car row brings out a mass of picnic rugs and mountain awe

Hundreds of “mountain defenders” have held their first peaceful protest against the cable car. This photo shows 80 people within a 7m x 4m area – the proposed number of passengers and floor space of the cable cars.

A MASS of picnic rugs replaced placards yesterday on the first day of action organised by protesters of the Mt Wellington cable car.

About 150 “mountain defenders” converged on the site of what would be the base station for the cable car, where they staged a picnic on a grassy slope as a form of peaceful protest.

Mountain Defenders organiser Philip Stigant said the group wanted to show how much the public appreciated access to Wellington Park, ahead of imminent drilling in the area by the Mount Wellington Cable Car Company.

“The reason we are having this picnic here now is because in the near future we may not be allowed to because of proposed drilling,” Mr Stigant said.

Locals Anna Johnston with Lucie, 9, and Oliver at the Picnic near the proposed cable car boarding station site. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

South Hobart resident David Day is part of the wildlife survey group on kunanyi/Mount Wellington. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

No Cable Car spokesperson Phil Stigant at the proposed site of the cable car boarding station. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

Treasurer Peter Gutwein has granted permission for the cable car proponents to access Wellington Park to conduct geotechnical tests and a flora and fauna study.

Mr Stigant warned the testing required for soil analysis would require large drill rigs, possibly dropped in by helicopter and requiring the lopping of trees.

“The testing will be destructive, and we really hope the minister will properly monitor the destruction,” he said.

Mr Stigant said the site of Sunday’s picnic would be destroyed for a base station building and carpark under the cable car proposal.

He said a road accessing the site, on Hobart Council land, would also ruin popular mountain bike tracks.

“This is the people’s mountain – we love our mountain and we don’t want it trashed for the sake of private profits.”

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Local resident Anna Johnston, who was at the picnic with her children Lucie, 9, and Oliver, 12, said she wanted to see the mountain stay wild.

“The mountain belongs to the people and its best enjoyed in its wild state,” she said.

The group is meeting Tuesday to determine its next form of protest action.

The State Government said the testing, required for the company to submit a Development Application, was an important first step.

“The Hodgman Liberal Government is a strong supporter of a cable car as it has the potential to bring significant investment to the state and create new jobs, both during construction and once operational,” a government spokeswoman said.

Mount Wellington Cable Car Company chair Chris Oldfield said the company was committed to complying with the appropriate processes.

“That includes abiding by all requirements of the authorities issued by government following its consultation with the Mount Wellington Management Trust and Hobart City Council and submission of a DA that will be then assessed by the council’s planning committee which includes a process for public input.”

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While the company undertakes its own flora and fauna analysis, the Mountain Defenders group has also vowed to carry out its own “bio-blitz” to determine what wildlife will be affected by what is believed to be 32 drill holes in six different sites.

Protester David Day, who is helping with the survey of wildlife, said initial investigations showed the site of the proposed base station was habitat for pademelons, bettongs, eastern barred bandicoots, Tasmanian devils and quolls.

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