Wellington Park Management Trust chair says group is seeking funds for kunanyi infrastructure

The caretakers of kunanyi agree the mountain needs new infrastructure to meet soaring demand, and they plan to take action. Find out how + the group’s ideal transport solution.

Kunanyi, Mt Wellington. Picture Eddie Safarik

The group which manages kunanyi/Mt Wellington says, it’s seeking funding for much needed infrastructure upgrades on the mountain, to meet soaring visitation numbers.

Earlier this week, Hobart Lord mayor Anna Reynolds said a complete overhaul of infrastructure was needed on kunanyi, and that conversations needed to be had about new transport solutions for the mountain.

Ms Reynolds told the Mercury improvements were needed at the springs and at the summit, including better power options, toilet upgrades and track work.

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds at Town Hall. Picture: Chris Kidd

Wellington Park Management Trust chair Christine Mucha echoed the sentiment on Friday.

She said visitation to kunanyi was far higher than the state’s other popular mountain destinations.

“The Tasmanian Visitor Survey reported 377,085 visitors to kunanyi/Mount Wellington in the year to June 2023. This is 36 per cent more than Freycinet National Park, and 43 per cent more than Cradle Mountain,” Dr Mucha said.

Doctor Christine Mucha chairperson of the Wellington Park Management Trust in relation to upgrades needed on kunanyi/Mount Wellington. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“As high as this number is, it doesn’t account for Tasmanian visitors, some of whom use the Park every day, or visitation to the other 85 per cent of Wellington Park beyond the mountain. “If this level of visitation is to be maintained, then infrastructure development does need to keep pace.”

She said the Trust was currently working to secure infrastructure funding for the next financial year.

“We need to work in concert with the various agencies that own and manage land within the park to meet infrastructure needs, but we acknowledge that resourcing these works is a considerable challenge for all agencies involved,” she said.

“The Trust is aware of infrastructure priorities identified by each land owner agency as part of their budget processes, and we aim to work with agencies to realise these priorities.”

Ms Reynolds told the Mercury other transport options needed to be considered, since the cable car proposal was rejected.

Dr Mucha said the Trust had never been called on to assess proposed solutions.

“However, community consultation tells us that there is no single solution, but rather a range of options that need to be made available to visitors,” she said.

“At the moment, driving, walking, riding, private tour operators and a private shuttle bus are all available. The Trust is open to consideration of other transport solutions where these are consistent with the Wellington Park Management Plan.”