Mt Wellington Cable Car rejected by Hobart Council
After more than five hours hearing deputations from multiple parties, the Hobart City Council has rejected the motion for the development of a cable car on kunanyi/Mount Wellington. FULL WRAP-UP >>
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10:40PM - Councillors vote against development of Cable Car:
The controversial Mount Wellington/ kunanyi cable car will not be moving forward at this stage, with the Hobart council acting as planning authority voting to reject the development application on Tuesday.
Councillors debated whether the development application should be approved after 15 deputations were heard.
The decision comes after an independent report was handed down last week making 21 recommendations why the DA should be rejected.
“Hobart residents are especially passionate about the mountain,” Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said.
“The proponents have said they’ve consulted, I’m afraid to say they haven’t listened.
“Some of the reports by the cable car company have some very deep flaws.”
“If the cable car were to go ahead, the cuts to the mountain would be very deep,” Deputy Mayor Helen Burnett said.
“We want to be on the right side of history tonight”
“Our community is tired of this discussion.
“What the proponents agreed was that they’ve already expended their best efforts to reduce the efforts on the mountain,” Councillor Peter Sexton said
“They are unable through any condition to reduce the impact.
The cable car was voted down, with three councillors voting it go ahead.
“We constantly get the 21 reasons for refusals,” Alderman Marti Zucco said.
“Two sections say the same reasons, that could be put into one condition.”
Alderman Simon Behrakis moved a motion to defer the decision, but it was defeated 9-3.
Three deputations were made to accept the DA, including the proponent of the project the Mount Wellington Cableway Company.
Executive Chair Chris Oldfield said some of the problems outlined could be remedied.
“I think some of those things, in particular the waste water, the conclusion of the consultant was that it could be met,” Executive Chair Mr Oldfield said
“There are others like that we think could be fixed.
“We’d be happy to consult further.”
Over 1400 people tuned into the livestream of the council meeting as the final vote was cast.
Voted to refuse:
- Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds
- Councillor Mike Dutta
- Jeff Briscoe
- Helen Burnett
- Bill Harvey
- Peter sexton
- Zelinda Sherlock
- Alderman Dale Thomas
- Councillor Jax Ewin
Voted to accept:
- Alderman Marti Zucco
- Alderman Simon Behrakis
- Councillor Will Coat
WATCH THE MEETING REPLAY
8:35PM: Oldfield denies racism:
THE chair of the Mount Wellington Cableway Company has been questioned on “racist remarks” which may have caused an archaeology firm to end involvement with the company.
During the final deputation to the Hobart City Council on its cable car proposal on Tuesday night, Chris Oldfield was asked if the company worked with an archaeology firm which worked in collaboration with an Aboriginal heritage consultancy based in Tasmania.
“Is it true that they withdrew from the assessments due to racist remarks made by the project owner?” Councillor Zelinda Sherlock asked.
“By the project owner you mean the owner of Mount Wellington Cable Car? I’m not aware of that,” Mr Oldfield said.
Two Aboriginal groups have said the Aboriginal community was not adequately consulted on the MWCC’s proposal for kunanyi/Mt Wellington.
Zoe Rimmer from the Aboriginal Heritage Council said the cultural significance of the mountain had not been considered during deputations.
“There has been no engagement with the Aboriginal community throughout the process,” Ms Rimmer said.
“The only reason you could accept why Aboriginal heritage is not present is because the laws are weak.
“The proponent has taken steps to disregard our voices.”
She said a cultural assessment of the mountain had not been made.
“The developers have flown in an archaeologist from interstate for two days,” Ms Rimmer said. “They were specifically looking for stones and bones, it’s a very outdated way of looking at it.”
Sharnie Read from the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre told the HCC committee the Aboriginal story of how the mountain was created, hoping to create an understanding of the mountain’s significance.
“I urge you to consider how your decision will impact on our future and my country,” Ms Read said.
Mr Oldfield said attempts had been made to consult with the community.
“They choose not to deal with us.”
8:10PM - Final Deputations: Two Tasmanian Aboriginal groups said the Aboriginal community was not consulted by the proponent of the controversial Mount Wellington cable car development.
Zoe Rimmer from the Aboriginal Heritage Council said the cultural significance of kunanyi had not been considered.
“There has been no engagement with the aboriginal community throughout the process,” Ms Rimmer said
“The only reason you could accept why Aboriginal Heritage is not present is because the laws are weak.
“The proponent has taken steps to disregard our voices.”
Ms Rimmer said a cultural assessment of the mountain had not been made.
“The developers have flown in an archeologist from interstate for two days,” Ms Rimmer said.
“They were specifically look for stones and bones, it’s a very outdated way of looking at it.
“The archeologist hasn’t even undertaken the most basic level of consultation.”
Sharnie Read from the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre told the committee the Aboriginal creation story of how the mountain was created.
“By sharing this I hope you understand the deep connection we have with this island,” Ms Read said.
“I urge you to consider how your decision will impact on our future and my country.
“Your actions and decisions today will showcase how you as decision makers value our landscapes.”
6:30PM - Deputations begin: The Residents Opposed to the Cable Car were the first group to make a deputation.
“This is the 8th cable car proposal, again strongly protested by citizens,” spokesman Vica Bayley said.
“You have 21 solid reasons why it should end and you can and should end it tonight,” Mr Bayley told the planning committee.
Mr Bayley said there was another reason it should be rejected.
“What saddens us as non-Aboriginal people is Aboriginal heritage is not one of the 21 grounds of refusal,” Mr Bayley said.
“In the 21st century that’s an indictment on our system, the fact this development hasn’t been denied on aboriginal heritage grounds.”
Tony Donaghy from the Hobart Cable Car Supporters believed the majority of Hobart residents supported the cable car.
“This council has heard and will hear many things tonight, a lot of what they will hear is demonstrably false,” Mr Donaghy said.
Mr Donaghy said there were a number of problems caused by cars driving up the mountain that could be solved by a cable car.
“We all know the problems well: parking, road blocks.”
“Today you have a fully realized solution to these problems, one that will be privately funded.”
Mr Donaghy said the summit already had a large car park and visitor centre which affected the aesthetic.
“The summit is hardly pristine wilderness, have you actually looked at it lately?”
5PM - Council Meeting kicks off: A special council meeting to consider the Mount Wellington Cable Car proposal has begun in council chambers, with 15 deputations to be heard before the debate gets underway.
Shortly before the meeting began, the Mercury caught up with the proponent of the development, the Mount Wellington Cableway Company.
Chief Executive Chris Oldfield said he was feeling good ahead of the vote.
“We believe we’ve got a good case, we believe the development application has been approved on a number of points,” Mr Oldfield said.
“I think most people know in Tasmania there are members of this council who have been opposed for a long time,”
“I don’t think that’s news to anybody but we would hope that when they sit as planning authority and not as a council, that they leave those views behind.
“What hasn’t changed is our determination to improve the condition of Mount Wellington and we think a cableway does that.”
Spokesperson for Residents Opposed to the Cable Car Vica Bayley said there was a nervous excitement in the room.
“This is D-day,” Mr Bayley said
“For 100 years, people have been talking about this development and for the last two years, the proponent has been lyrical about how their DA being the only one submitted and how good it is.”
“If the council vote it down we’d hope the developers drop the proposal and let Hobart heal and get on with the job of protecting kunanyi.”
“The 21 grounds are so comprehensive and profound, they give no room for councillors to support this development and maintain their credibility as a planning officer,” Mr Bayley said.
YOUR SAY: Readers react to looming cable car decision
The Mount Wellington cable car proposal has received a flood of support ahead of the council decision on the project, with a Mercury poll showing more than twice as many supporters for the project than those opposed.
The Facebook poll, which was posted at 8:30am this morning, received more than 800 votes in favour of the project and around 300 against it just after midday.
The support comes despite an independent planning report released last week which listed 21 reasons why the development application should be rejected.
Those hoping to see the cable car built listed a number of reasons including jobs and tourism.
“It’s simple, approve it subject to the 21 reasons being addressed! Then everyone, including the anti-brigade will be happy, wins all round,” Alf Whitbread said.
“Yes. It is a no brainier. Hobart and Tasmania have to have a cable car up to the top,” John Stuart said.
“Absolutely they should! Hobart is too far behind the times. Tourism and jobs is always a good thing!!!!” Ally Maree said.
“YES, YES, YES. Build it and the people will come. It will be an economic boom for the WHOLE STATE,” Jeff Kelly said.
“Definitely yes would be so great for tourism in Tassie,” Audrey Cobbing said.
Meanwhile opposition to the project remains strong, with many concerned a cable car would detract from the mountain and that it goes against the wishes of Tasmania’s Aboriginal community.
“We don’t need to be Queenstown NZ, the best part of Tassie is our nature, let’s keep Tassie wild,” Rowan Bassett said.
“No. This mountain is not for sale so that a few people can make money. It belongs to ALL Tasmanians, present and future,” Heather Donaldson said.
“Fix the poor excuse for a road up the mountain first then you can maybe think about a cable car but it’ll still be a solid no from me,” Max Shepperd said.
“NO. The mountain sits as a potent symbol of nature right at Hobart’s doorstep. People just simply love to gaze at it. Aboriginal groups are united in their opposition. A cable car across this mountain face stamps us, and our values, as for sale. Great cities retain integrity making their spaces available to everyone. Put funds and energy into improving public transport so everyone can move around town and enjoy a lovely liveable city,” Helen Whitty said.
“Do people travel here to see this sort of thing? I’m sure the experience would be great but just not convinced the benefits (for the tourism industry) outweigh the cost to residents or even the significant portion of tourists who come here because we haven’t built stuff like this everywhere,” Aidan Bindoff said.
Tasmanian politicians are also eagerly awaiting the outcome.
“We support a cable car for Mount Wellington but we absolutely support due process, the planning and approvals process to be followed,” Liberal MP Guy Barnett said.
“We’re very pleased the proponent have followed that process, the public have had a say.”
“This is an important issue for many people right across Tasmania,” Labor MP Sarah Lovell said.
“We have always supported the process, this is an important part of that process so I will be very interested to see the outcome in the vote tonight.”
The Hobart council acting as Planning Authority will meet at 5pm at council chambers.
The meeting will be streamed on the council’s YouTube page, but will also be broadcast at Mathers House for those unable to access the livestream.
Mt Wellington Cable Car Company ’undaunted’ as decision looms
The Mount Wellington Cable Car Company said it’s “undaunted” by the independent report into the project, which outlined 21 reasons why it should be refused.
Writing a piece in today’s Talking Points (p25), executive chair Chris Oldfield said some of the reasons in the report were duplicated.
“A close reading of the 107 page consultant’s report highlights that due to triplication, that is, raising the same concerns under each of the three planning areas, there are in fact only eight reasons given for refusal,” Mr Oldfield said.
“We believe that these can be adequately addressed.”
The development application will go before the Hobart council acting as planning committee at a special meeting on Tuesday.
Mr Oldfield said he stood by the DA.
“In the remaining small number of concerns, we disagree with the report’s conclusions, some of which we believe are entirely subjective,” Mr Oldfield said.
“We can demonstrate that the council’s consultants either have misunderstood or discounted proposed solutions to mitigate, minimise or remedy concerns to meet planning scheme requirements.”
The cable car proponent is urging councillors to reject the recommendation for refusal.
“We know the views of some members because they’ve been vocal but we know when they sit they have to come in with an open mind,” he said.
“It would be very disappointing if anyone came in with a predetermined position.”
The Residents Opposed to the Cable Car on the other hand hope the recommendation to refuse the DA is upheld.
“I guess we’re feeling cautiously optimistic in that there’s 21 expert grounds on which to refuse the development,” spokesman Vica Bayley said.
“It’s very difficult as to how a credible councillor could find a reason to vote for the project.”
Mr Bayley believed Hobart would be better off without the development.
“We’ve long called for the proponent to drop this proposal, we’ve long said it’s inconsistent with the values of the mountain,” Mr Bayley said
“We will be a better city without the threat of this cable car to our mountain.“
Mr Bayley said he hoped the issue was dealt with swiftly.
“We hope this doesn’t drag on, we hope the council votes to refuse this and we hope that’s the end of it.”
“A lot of money is being spent on defending the mountain”
The special meeting will begin at 5pm on Tuesday at Hobart Council Chambers, but members of the public are encouraged to watch the live broadcast online.
Anyone unable to access it from home is able to watch it at Mathers House.
Council set to deliver final cable car vote
WITH the Hobart City Council set to vote on the cable car proposal at a special meeting on Tuesday evening, supporters and opponents of the project are steeling themselves for the moment of truth.
The Mt Wellington Cableway Company’s planning application will be considered at the meeting, which will begin at 5pm.
Insufficient capacity in the Hobart City Council chambers means there will be no public gallery.
The meeting will be live-streamed via the council’s YouTube channel for people to watch from home. A screen will also be set up at Mathers House for the public to watch.
The meeting follows the release of a report by independent planners last week, which recommended the proposal be refused on 21 grounds.
Residents Opposed to the Cable Car spokesman Vica Bayley said he would be giving a five-minute deputation at the meeting.
“We’ll be stating the same things that we’ve said for many, many years now, which have been confirmed, basically, in the recommendations of the planners’ report – a development of this scale and mass tourism on the mountain isn’t compliant with the management plan or the planning scheme,” Mr Bayley said.
Hobart Cable Car Supporters spokesman Tony Donaghy will also be presenting to the meeting, and said he would address the project’s “positive benefits”.
“(I’ll be) looking at … how the development has actually gone the extra mile beyond what’s previously been approved by the Hobart City Council, particularly among their own developments that they’ve approved on the mountain,” he said.
Project supporters slam cable car report
A pro cable car group in Hobart said it’s disappointed the Mt Wellington/kunanyi cable car project has been recommended for refusal after an independent report released on Tuesday outlined 21 reasons why it should be rejected.
Tony Donaghy from the Hobart Cable Car Supporters Group said many of the concerns raised could be worked through.
“They’re very soft issues and they’re issues that could be so readily be mitigated if the council was willing to work with the developer,” Mr Donaghy said.
“There’s a lot of grey areas in these points.”
Mr Donaghy said he’d questioned whether some reasons listed fell under the consultant’s specialty.
“I’m a geologist, a geoscientist, the person who wrote that report is a groundwater specialist,” he said.
“It could be argued a cable car going over the organ pipes would give people a unique perspective to appreciate the organ pipes and their geoheritage values.”
Mr Donaghy believed the council as planning authority would vote to reject the development application on Jul 27.
“There’s too many councillors on the decisions panel that have made their view clear in the past and were specifically elected on anti-cable car platforms,” Mr Donaghy said.
“The council will look for any excuse to refuse it.”
He said the issue would likely find itself before the Resource Management and Planning Appeals Tribunal.
“If the council rejects the DA based on these 21 highly subjective criteria, then we imagine the developer will refer that decision to RMPAT for appeal,” Mr Donaghy said.
“If council go against the grain and passes the development, then we assume opponents would then refer that decision to RMPAT as the next stage of appeal.
The Hobart Cable Car Supporters group launched a petition with the Legislative Council last week, which was sitting at 750 signatures on Wednesday morning.
“We’re calling for the Legislative Council to look at how major projects are handled by councils as planning authorities,” Mr Donaghy said.
“We think the cable car project and the councils’ dealings with it over the last ten years would be a good case study.”
Premier Peter Gutwein said the State Government won’t be interfering in the process.
“We’ve said before that the major projects legislation will not be utilised, it needs to go through the whole planning process,” Mr Gutwein said.
“I would make this point, I personally and as a party, we do support the cable car project.
“We think that would certainly be something that would add value to the city of Hobart in terms of an offering moving forward.”
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