Federal Government pulls funding for Cradle Mountain cableway

The state government is urging the federal government to reconsider after they pulled funding for the Cradle Mountain Cableway project. LATEST >>

Artist impressions of Cradle Mountain Master Plan Proposed cable car to Dove Lake. Picture: Cumulus Studio

The state government is urging the federal government to reconsider after it pulled funding for the Cradle Valley Cableway.

The planned cableway, which is part of the Cradle Mountain Masterplan, released in 2016, would connect the Cradle Mountain Visitor Centre to Dove Lake, and was projected to bring an additional 60,000 visitors to the region.

In 2018, both the State and Federal Governments committed $30m each toward the project.

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

The Federal Government announced last year that any uncontracted Community Development Grants projects, such as the cableway, would need to be contracted within six months and completed by June 30, 2026.

The deadline in April has now passed.

The state government has written to the federal government asking that the funding be preserved.

“The Australian Government confirmed that this date could not be extended, meaning it was no longer possible for the state to progress the project under that program,’’ State Development Minister Guy Barnett said.

“We want to ensure that the Commonwealth’s committed funds are preserved for Tasmania while we work through the implications of the business case, which estimates the project to now total $190 million, based on materials and other construction costs in this remote location.

“However, we want to ensure that the Commonwealth’s committed funds are preserved for Tasmania while we work through the implications of the business case, which estimates the project to now total $190 million, based on materials and other construction costs in this remote location.’’

Greens Senator Nick McKim said the funding being pulled was a “terrific result”.

“The project never stacked up, and never had a social license,” Mr McKim said.

“Tasmania’s wilderness is far too precious to be despoiled for profit, and surely now this horrendous project can be consigned to the dustbin where it belongs.”