Size of kunanyi cable car project dramatically scaled down in hope of green light
The Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre has slammed claims that they have not returned calls from Kunanyi/Mount Wellington cable car proponent Chris Oldfield. REVISED PLANS >>
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The Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre has slammed claims that they have not returned calls from Kunanyi/Mount Wellington cable car proponent Chris Oldfield, saying no phone contact has been made in over six months.
Mount Wellington Cableway Company chair Chris Oldfield said on Monday that the indigenous community had been consulted with as part of the proposed development application, currently sitting with the Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal, but not the TAC “who represent just part of that community”.
“We have made various offers to them, they have simply refused to talk to us, so I would reject the proposal that we haven’t spoken to the (indigenous) community, we just haven’t spoken to the TAC,” Mr Oldfield said.
“But our door as always is still open.”
TAC campaign manager Nala Mansell said Mr Oldfield was playing “political games”, separating the TAC from the wider Aboriginal community that they are a part of.
“We are an Aboriginal community, we are not set up by organisations, and I am not aware of any aboriginal people being consulted by Chris Oldfield,” she said.
“He wrote to us in the early stages, we agreed to share information about… the aboriginal connection of Kunanyi, as long as he was willing to revaluate his proposal once he was aware of the destruction to our mountain.
“But he wasn’t willing to do so, so the Aboriginal community have stood strong against this proposal.”
Size of cable car project scaled down in hope of green light
A dramatic 40 per cent reduction to the size of the proposed Kunanyi/Mount Wellington cable car has been deemed “still financially viable” by developers and a blatant “land grab” by opponents.
The Mount Wellington Cableway Company lodged a Section 22 amendment to its Development Application with the Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal on Monday, scaling back the size of the pinnacle centre, operating hours and amount of cable car passengers per cabin.
“(The amendments) reduce the capital cost…there will also be a subsequent reduction in revenues, but our modelling shows the project is still financially viable,” MWCC chair Chris Oldfield said.
“Whilst there will be some regret that we have had to downsize the project, the people who really want to see this project progress understand.
“What we are about is developing a transport alternative and solution for Kunanyi/Mt Wellington.”
Spokesman for Residents Opposed to the Cable Car Vica Bayley reiterated that the group would never support a cable car on Kunanyi/Mt Wellington.
“This is not a transport solution to the summit, this is a land grab to the most iconic and undeveloped real estate,” Mr Bayley said.
“We just want this company to walk away, to stop flogging a dead horse, and to let the community enjoy the mountain un-molested so that truly sustainable ideas for the transport of people that address some of the challenges of getting to the mountain can actually be put forward and get some air space.”
It was with sadness for the MWCC that the fine dining restaurant was removed from the DA, but an all-day café still remains, serving some of Tasmania’s finest foods.
Other amendments include the removal of the proposed northern wing, the sanctum and a south facing viewing space, operating during daylight hours only, and halving the maximum passenger load capacity of the aerial tramway cabins.
On July 28 the Hobart City Council, acting as planning authority, voted to reject the cable car development application citing 21 key reasons for refusal, with nine added later.
As part of the current tribunal process, Mr Oldfield said the amendments had addressed the major concerns from HCC surrounding size and impact of the project and operating hours.
However this sentiment was not shared by Mr Bayley who said only half a dozen of the key reasons had been addressed.
Areas of concern for Mr Bayley were the size of the lease area on top of the mountain, the size of the cable car cabins, the sewerage capacity built into the mountain, the route passing over the mountain’s organ pipes, among others.
“There is still no change to the need to bulldoze a 2.3 kilometre long road through a council reserve, bulldoze swift parrot and masked owl nesting trees, the visual impact issues of a 35 metre tower atop the mountain,” he said.
Now that the DA amendments have been submitted to RMPAT, those party to the appeal will have 10 days to respond.
“We are lucky enough to have a say on whether this Section 22 application is even accepted by the tribunal,” Mr Bayley said.
Cable car plans released as MWCC lodges DA amendment
The Mt Wellington Cable Car Company has officially released the amendments to its development application after the plans were leaked last week.
The company lodged an amendment to its development application with Resource Management & Planning Appeal Tribunal today.
The amendments, which seek to address a number of reasons for Hobart Council’s recent refusal, include an overall reduction in size of the pinnacle centre on kunanyi/Mt Wellington and s substantial reduction of operating hours.
MWCC chair Chris Oldfield said the reduction included the removal of the proposed northern wing and the sanctum; a south facing viewing space, reducing the on-ground summit building footprint by about 40 per cent.
The amendment also reduces operational hours to daylight only and halves the passenger load capacity of the aerial tramway cabins.
Features including protection of the skyline, accessible lookouts and boardwalks, an all-day cafe, community event space, sufficient toilets, and parenting rooms for all visitors to the pinnacle remain part of the application.
“The council raised concerns about the size of the complex and its hours of operation, noise at night and carrying capacity which these amendments address,” Mr Oldfield said.
“Taking away the fine dining restaurant and moving the cafe into the southern wing reduces the overall bulk of the centre and the need for after dark operating hours, which reinforces the focus of our pinnacle centre away from hospitality to passive, daytime scenic appreciation.”
He said the amendments reduce the building costs would have minimal impact on the financial viability of the project.
The amended plans are available at www.mwcablecar.com
Council should have backed cable car deferral, says Alderman
The community could have had their say on new amendments to the cable car application, which are set to be lodged this week, if a motion of deferral had been supported when the matter was before council, says one Hobart Alderman.
In July an independent planning consultant outlined 21 reasons why the development application for the cable car should be refused.
When the item was debated a week later, Alderman Simon Behrakis attempted to defer a decision on it, arguing the proponents should have more time to address the concerns.
The motion was voted down and the item was put to a vote and refused.
The matter is now going through the tribunal process and the Mount Wellington Cableway Company intends to amend its application, as revealed on Wednesday after confidential information relating to the cable car new design was leaked to The Australian.
On Wednesday spokesman for Residents Opposed to the Cable Car Vica Bayley said the public would be unable to have a say on the new design, claiming it would disenfranchise the community.
Ald Behrakis said the public would have been able to have a say if his motion of deferral was successful.
“I moved a deferral motion and it was thoroughly knocked back and now there are concerns the community can’t have a say,” Ald Behrakis said.
“If the applicants were able to go back to council and make amendments, the public could have had a say on it.
“Now we’re in the tribunal stage that’s not going to happen.”
“That was rejected 9-3 and the people who voted against the deferral voted against the application in its entirety.”
Ald Behrakis said the item had been rushed through.
“This could have been resolved at a council level,” Ald Behrakis said.
“The decision was rushed through because there was a number of people eager to ensure it got rejected.”
At the moment specific details relating to the revised design of the cable car are confidential, but The Australian has reported the size of the development- including the actual cable cars – will be scaled back, and the restaurant planned for the summit omitted from the design.
The MWCC chair Chris Oldfield told the Mercury on Wednesday the plans were expected to be made public either this week or next week.
When the news plans are submitted, those party to the appeal will have 10 days to respond.
‘Respect the process’: Cable car chief slams leaked plans
The Mount Wellington Cableway Company could soon release revised plans for its controversial cable car development, and there are concerns the public won’t get their say on the rumoured plans.
As reported in The Australian, the plans — including the actual cable cars — will be scaled back to address concerns around size.
It’s also been reported the restaurant planned for the summit will no longer be included in the proposal.
The plans are currently before the Resource Management and Planning Appeal Tribunal after the Hobart City Council rejected the MWCC’s development application in July, based on 21 concerns highlighted by an independent planning consultant.
“We’ll be lodging later this week a section 22 application,” MWCC chair Chris Oldfield told the Mercury.
“We’ve been advised these matters are to remain confidential.”
At this stage, details surrounding the specifics of the revised plan are not public, but a publicly available tribunal direction has confirmed the foreshadowed filing of the application, to be submitted by Friday.
Once submitted, those party to the appeal will be allowed 10 days to respond, and the proponent will be allowed 48 hours to address concerns.
Mr Oldfield was unable to confirm or deny specific details about the application, slamming those who leaked information.
“We’ll stick to process and abide by the tribunal,” he said.
“It’s disappointing someone on the other side doesn’t feel bound by confidentiality.
“We would call on all parties to respect the process that needs to be followed.”
Mr Oldfield said the plans would be made publicly available either late this week or early next week.
“We think people want to see a fair debate on the issue,” he said.
Residents Opposed to the Cable Car spokesman Vica Bayley said many applications in Hobart had been through this process.
“Section 22 is commonly used by developers to work their developments through the planning process,” Mr Bayley said.
Mr Bayley said it would mean the public would be unable to have their say on the revised plans.
“Unfortunately it disenfranchises the community,” Mr Bayley said.
“All of those people don’t have the opportunity to comment and have their voice on the proposal.
The appeal hearing, which was planned for February 28 could also be pushed back.
“The Tribunal notes that the parties are considering an alternative hearing date of the week commencing 16 May 2022 continuing until 3 June 2022,” the tribunal direction said.
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