Premier denies claims he has given cable car proponent ‘special treatment’

PREMIER Will Hodgman says he supports a cable car to kunanyi/Mt Wellington, but denies claims the State Government has given special treatment to the proponent.

PREMIER Will Hodgman says he supports a cable car to kunanyi/Mt Wellington, but denies claims the State Government has given special treatment to the proponent.

At a heated Hobart City Council meeting on Monday, aldermen rejected any cable car infrastructure on council land in a 7-4 vote.

Despite the setback, the Mt Wellington Cableway Company has vowed to continue with the project and will submit a development application after the October local government elections.

In State Parliament yesterday, Greens leader Cassy O’Connor called on the Premier to rule out any further special treatment for the cable car proponents.

Premier Will Hodgman listens to a question from Greens leader Cassy O'Connor in the House of Assembly. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

“The Liberals had the chance to deny they would continue pulling every available bureaucratic and legislative lever to get this divisive project off the ground,” she said. “They had the chance to respect the will of the people, and they again refused it.”

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Premier Hodgman refuted the claims, saying the Government supported “sustainable and sensible development”.

“We are supportive of the notion of a cable car on Mt Wellington but we have always said it has to obtain the necessary approvals,” he said.