Hobart Lord Mayor Ron Christie isn’t going anywhere and will seek another term in the top civic job

HOBART Lord Mayor Ron Christie stands by his controversial comments on tourism, Dark Mofo and the cable car and will take those views to the upcoming election as he seeks to retain his seat.

AFTER six months as Hobart lord mayor, Ron Christie feels he has unfinished business in the role and will seek to retain the top civic job at next month’s Local Government election.

Alderman Christie has garnered plenty of attention in his six-month tenure as lord mayor for his positions on tourism, Dark Mofo and nipaluna.

While many have called on the Lord Mayor to resign over his comments, Ald Christie refused to back down from the statements and said he was representing the views of the community.

“We have 116 cultural communities, 50 different religions in Hobart — I represent them all,” he said.

“What David Walsh does at home is his business, [but] as soon as he brings it into the public domain and offends sections of our community, then I will always act,” he said, referring to the inverted crosses at this year’s Dark Mofo festival.

Ald Christie said Hobart was at an important juncture in its history and he would like to lead the community as lord mayor to realise the Community Vision Strategy, finalise building height rules in Hobart and complete the Hobart City Deal.

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Ron Christie will seek to retain the role of Hobart Lord Mayor at the October election. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

Ald Christie said a top goal for him was a free city loop bus service for Hobart’s seniors and tourists to connect from Franklin Square to the Royal Hobart Hospital, around the CBD and to the waterfront.

“Older people have to catch the bus to Franklin Square and need to walk to the hospital,” he said.

“It’s beyond a joke a loop bus doesn’t exist.

“I’m going to push the State Government to do this or find other means but it has to be done before the completion of the hospital.”

Last month, Ald Christie voted against allowing Mount Wellington Cableway Company gaining access to council land for any cable car infrastructure but said he was open to any future development application.

“My mind is open to all development applications but I will find it very difficult to be convinced of a cable car across our historic organ pipes,” he said.

Ald Christie maintained his stance against “mass” tourism.

“In past years I promoted tourism to our city including cruise ships,” Ald Christie said.

“I never expected the sudden growth, not one person did.

“Now because of this rapid growth I am asking that we act urgently before its too late.”

TALKING POINT: INFLUX OF TOURISTS PUTS OUR WAY OF LIFE IN PERIL