More than 8000 people provide feedback on Mt Wellington cable car plan, proponent says

UPDATED: THE results are in on the public’s response to the latest Mt Wellington cable car proposal — with the proponent describing them as “heartening”.

MORE than 8000 people have provided feedback on the Mount Wellington cable car project, with proponents saying about 80 per cent of respondents are supportive of the plan.

Mount Wellington Cableway Company chairwoman Jude Franks said the public comment would now be used to refine the proposal before a development application was submitted.

The detailed proposal was released in August, with the public comment period closing on Sunday.

MORE: CABLEWAY CO FINALLY REVEALS DETAILED PLAN

“It was also heartening that many in the community who said that they had previously disliked or were undecided about the project concept felt more comfortable once they had seen the full detail,” Ms Franks said.

“This significant shift towards even more people favouring the project was quite a recurring theme across the more than 8000 feedback forms received.

“It is fair to say some of the feedback was from people who remain opposed to

the project.”

An artist’s impression of proposed cable car development on kunanyi/Mt Wellington. Picture: MWCC

Julie Lawless, of Kingston, said she wanted a cable car so she could share the experience of Mt Wellington with her elderly parents

“A cable car will be a fabulous experience for all out visitors, especially those with limited time and the elderly,” she said.

Charles Gregory, of Lenah Valley, said he supported a cable car because it was the most sustainable solution to the issue of increased visitation to the mountain.

“It deserves to be heard without myths and misinformation being spread about it,” he said.

Mark Higgins, of Lenah Valley, said the cable car could rival MONA as a must-see Tasmanian attraction.

Jess Quinn, of Montrose, said her family would love to see a cable car on Mount Wellington for better and easier access.

“Not only will it be a wonderful family activity to experience but also a great attraction for locals and interstate visitors alike,” she said.

But Residents Opposed to the Cable Car spokesman Ted Cutlan remains unconvinced.

“Overwhelmingly from my perspective the project is opposed by the majority of people,” he said.

“MWCC has been putting out this spin for the past five years.”

An artist’s impression of the pinnacle centre atop kunanyi/Mt Wellington. Picture: SUPPLIED

Ms Franks said nearly 61,000 people had visited its website and more than 4200 people had attended the MWCC display centre at Brooke St Pier.

VISIT THE MWCC WEBSITE TO SEE THE FULL PROPOSAL

“Clearly our project is of strong interest well beyond the Hobart municipality, with 50 per cent of all feedback coming from people in other suburbs in the Greater Hobart area and 20 per cent from the rest of Tasmania,” she said.

At a heated Hobart City Council meeting in August, aldermen voted against any cable car infrastructure being built on any council land.

HEATED MEETING AS ALDERMEN VOTE AGAINST CABLE CAR

Alderman Jeff Briscoe’s motion called for no cable car infrastructure to be built on council land, including a proposed 2.5km road to built near the McRobies Gully tip to the base station on the outskirts of Wellington Park.

Aldermen voted 7-4 in favour of the motion with Aldermen Eva Ruzicka, Philip Cocker, Anna Reynolds, Bill Harvey, Helen Burnet, Jeff Briscoe and Hobart Lord Mayor Ron Christie supporting the motion.