Anti-cable car demonstrator claims she received threatening emails from anonymous and encrypted address

Cable car tensions have been escalated to police, with one protester claiming she received threatening emails.

CABLE car tensions have been escalated to police with one protester claiming she received threatening emails from an anonymous and encrypted address.

The emails — seen by the Mercury — were sent to an anti-cable car demonstrator from the end-to-end encrypted email service ProtonMail.

Addressing her by name, the message said “playing silly games … [won] silly prizes … so lets get your silly prize sorted”.

The first email contained no reference to the proposed kunanyi/Mt Wellington cable car, but the second did.

A human banner against the Mt Wellington cable car proposal. Picture: ROB BLAKERS

The sender also scoffed at the chances of tracking them down. “The problem you face is there are no trails to follow. You have no idea where to start looking. Does this frustrate you?” it said.

Both emails have been forwarded to police, but they may be unable to trace the messages due to the use of an encrypted service.

A spokeswoman confirmed a report had been made in relation to the first email. It’s understood the police are yet to receive the second email.

“The threats were not specific and there is no evidence to suggest the email was in connection with the cable car,” she said.

“The matter has been filed pending further information but will continue to be monitored.”

The alleged victim said it showed how the debate had become incredibly heated on social media and “turned Tasmanians against Tasmanians”.

In another incident, a letter allegedly threatening to run protesters over was also given to police.

Residents Opposed to the Cable Car spokesman Ted Cutlan said it showed how divisive the project was and urged both sides of the debate to tone things down and show respect.

Mount Wellington Cableway Company chair Chris Oldfield said they had asked for the debate to be conducted on facts.

He said they didn’t support threats being made against anyone, no matter what side of the debate they were on, and reporting any threats to police was the right thing to do.