Residents rally against cable car proposal

SOUTH Hobart residents will not go down without a fight in the battle for kunanyi/Mt Wellington with a rally against the cable car project. VOTE IN OUR POLL

SOUTH Hobart residents will not go down without a fight in the battle for kunanyi/Mt Wellington with some labelling the cable car proposal “disgusting” and vowing it will happen “over their dead bodies”.

Yesterday, Mount Wellington Cableway Company finally released plans for its cable car project, which were exclusively revealed in the Mercury. They will form part of its development application to the Hobart City Council.

More than 120 South Hobart residents met at the front gates of McRobies Gully tip for an impromptu rally promising to resist any plans for a cable car to the pinnacle.

“We are here to say on day one, after the cable car company announced with big fanfare their plans, we’re here to say no on the first day,” Residents Opposed to the Cable Car spokesman Ted Cutlan told the crowd.

Residents at an impromptu protest at the end of McRobies Road, the new proposed site for a cable car terminus. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

MORE:

THE PINNACLE: Big ideas for summit centre

THE ROAD: Company to build access road

THE MEETING: Call to keep details of project open

THE PLANS: Proposal much more than way to the top

The site was chosen for the rally because the cable car proponent plans to build the base of the $50 million project at Wellington Park with a new 2.5km road to be constructed adjacent McRobies Gully tip.

Mr Cutlan said there was no detail in the information released by MWCC.

“After five years, if they’re operating with nothing more than artist’s impressions, they are disrespecting the community.”

“The public need to know a lot more.”

Lou-anne Barker said she would continue to fight the project.

“I’m determined to fight it because the mountain is precious to Hobart, it’s precious to me,” she said.

“To have a development above the Organ Pipes is sacrilegious and unacceptable.”

Jill Nolan said the mountain was sacred and she was outraged by the proposal.

“Over my dead body will they do it,” she said.

Artists impression of the proposed development of a cable car on kunanyi/Mt Wellington by MWCC.

Sorin Vanzino, 17, said the mountain belonged to the people not for the profit of the few.

“They have no rights to it and I very much believe we should block them at all costs,” he said.

Ella Mcglashan, 16, said while tourism was among Tasmania’s most vital industries, it had to be on Tasmania’s terms.

“I was disgusted by the proposal,” she said.

As word broke of MWCC’s latest plans, politicians and stakeholders chimed in with their opinions.

Tasmanian campaign manager for The Wilderness Society Vica Bayley said he was not surprised by the location of the base.

“It’s no surprise the base of the cable has shifted to the tip because it’s a toxic proposal that others like Cascade (Brewery) don’t support.”

Ted Cutlan addresses protesters at the end of McRobies Road, the new proposed site for the cable car terminus. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

The State Government yesterday reaffirmed its support for the project.

“There’s no doubt that a proposal for a cable car, if it ticks all the boxes when it comes to approvals and the planning process, would be fantastic for tourism and showcase one of Tasmania’s most stunning natural landmarks,” State Growth Minister Peter Gutwein said.

“It would make Mount Wellington more accessible and it would create jobs in Tasmania.”

Opposition infrastructure spokesman David O’Byrne said Labor would be looking at the proposal closely before forming a position.

“What we see now finally is details around the proposal and I think all Tasmanians should take a very close look and make their own judgment,” he said.

“We have been very clear that we will not form a position until we have seen a proposal,”