Cradle Mountain cableway project in jeopardy as crucial funding deadline fast approaches

A $60m cableway proposed for one of Tasmania’s most popular national parks is in limbo, with no guarantee the proponent will be able to meet a critical funding deadline.

Artist impressions of Cradle Mountain Master Plan- the proposed cable car. Picture: Cumulus Studio

The future of the proposed $60m Cradle Mountain cableway is under a cloud as the proponent races to meet a looming deadline for a crucial Commonwealth grant.

The planned low-level cableway – part of the Cradle Mountain Master Plan, released in 2016 – would connect the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre to Dove Lake, providing an all-year, all-weather service. It’s projected to bring an additional 60,000 visitors to the region.

In a Senate Estimates hearing on Monday, Tasmanian Liberal senator Jonathon Duniam sought clarity on the project’s future from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.

Artist impressions of Cradle Mountain Master Plan- the proposed cable car. Picture: Cumulus Studio

He was informed that there was no update on whether a business case had been completed and that the department was yet to receive the information it required to “assess the project further”.

The former Coalition government committed $30m to the project in 2018, to be delivered under the Community Development Grants Programme (CDG).

However, the Albanese government announced on October 24 last year that the scheme would be closed and any uncontracted CDG projects, such as the cableway, would need to be contracted within six months and completed by June 30, 2026.

With the April cut-off date fast approaching, there is no guarantee that the Commonwealth will extend the deadline for the cableway project.

Senator Jonathon Duniam. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“It was clear from the Albanese government’s answers that they are still providing no assurances or guarantees that this crucially important project for Tasmania will proceed,” Senator Duniam said.

“Federal Labor has not lifted a finger to advance this critical project in their nine months in government, and only two-and-a-half months remain before the deadline for a decision.

“So Tasmanians should be very worried about its fate.”

Labor raised its own concerns about the project’s lack of progress in the lead-up to the May 2022 federal election, questioning why neither the state or federal government had been able to “even sink a shovel into the ground” since 2018.

The Tasmanian government has also committed $30m to the cableway.