Government commits $30 million to Cradle Mountain cable way project
UPDATED: VISITORS to Tasmania will soon get a bird’s eye view of Cradle Mountain with bipartisan support now making the cable car tangible by 2019.
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VISITORS to Tasmania will soon get a bird’s eye view of Cradle Mountain with bipartisan support now making the cable car tangible by 2019.
Both major political parties have committed $30 million towards construction of the tourism game-changer which will carry tourists from the new Cradle Mountain visitor centre to Dove Lake.
The tourism industry and councils in the Cradle Mountain catchment area have applauded the news.
“With bipartisan support this is a goer. This is a significant day of epic proportions not just for Cradle Mountain but Tasmanian tourism as a whole,” Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin said as the State Government announced it would match Labor’s promise of $30 million to get a cable car built and operational by 2019 if it was re-elected.
MORE: LABOR COMMITS $30M TO CRADLE MOUNTAIN CABLEWAY PLAN
The government added another $5 million into the mix to secure private investment in another side tourism venture as well.
“When we do world-class tourism the market responds and that’s what we will see with this development,” Mr Martin said.
The Cradle Coast Authority — which represents the nine councils in Tasmania’s north west — said the change from investing in a lot of small tourism ventures to a major drawcard was refreshing.
“As a result of working collaboratively and committing to a smaller number of significant regional priorities, we are doing less, doing it better and doing it together,” CCA chief representative Jan Bonde said.
This is a significant day of epic proportions not just for Cradle Mountain but Tasmanian tourism as a whole – TICT chief Luke Martin
Premier Will Hodgman said the construction of a cable car — which would take an average of 26 shuttle buses per day off the road to Dove Lake in peak season — would cost about $70 million.
No funds would needed from Canberra to make it a reality, but private capital would be needed.
Mr Hodgman said an EOI process to secure those funds would begin within 100 days of his government winning majority government.
He said investors were already in contact with the Office of the Co-ordinator General.
“This investment will put Tasmania on the same stage as Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef. We are talking sensitive development to take the Cradle Mountain experience to the next level,” Mr Hodgman said.
Tasmanian Labor said the project still deserved Federal support.
“Bill Shorten put $15 million on the table at the last election,” Braddon MP Shane Broad said.
“The Federal Liberals need to do better than the $1 million they committed for a study in 2016.”
Cradle Coast Authority chair Sid Sidebottom echoed that sentiment.
“We now call on the Federal Government and the Federal Opposition Leader to
complement this funding to guarantee not just a revitalised Cradle Mountain experience, but to invest in what is a world-leading nature-based tourism icon.”
Mr Hodgman also turned the first sod on the site of the new $21.8 million Gateway Precinct to welcome tourists to the national park. The new centre, which will also house restaurants and cafes, has a view of the mountain and will be home to the cable car transit point.
Mr Hodgman said there had been talk that Cradle Mountain was in danger of being loved to death.
“Infrastructure upgrades to ensure it can cope and protect the very environment people come to see are vital,” he said.
Parks and Wildlife Service general manager Jason Jacobi said the turnng of the sod for the new Gateway Precinct was a critical stage in Cradle Mountain’s future.
“This place derserves the best we can provide. Visitor numbers increased by 30 per cent this year on last,” he said.
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