Legislative Council Candidate Penelope Ann today announced a plan to draw people to the Wild Mountain on their doorstep without dividing the community.
“There is much discussion about creating economic opportunity utilising the Mountain and I think we can do that without creating community division” Penelope Ann said. “We have a truly wild, basically unspoilt area in Mount Wellington linked to the Wilderness of Tasmania. At the moment access is based on the car and not user friendly for tourists,’ Penelope Ann said.
‘Any project proposed for Mountain Wellington should be based on enjoying it’s natural values rather than imposing on them. As one of Hobart’s major assets any project should respect the values the mountain provides Hobart. I am proposing a Metro transport service that takes people across the breadth of the mountain to walk the trails, ride bikes where appropriate, and provides a collection point at the end of the walk.’
‘This would be a great service for tourists and Hobartians to experience our special mountain and enjoy its facilities naturally, knowing that at the end of their experience they can catch reliable transport back to the city.
‘To be able to ride the Snowy Range track and be dropped off and picked up at each end would be one of the great bike rides.
‘This plan would complement the natural values of the mountain rather than build over them. It would be enable all Tasmanians to enjoy the experiences of this area without requiring intrusive infrastructure or community battles. This project could unite the community instead of dividing them.
‘ Public transport access would underpin the proposed multi day walk across the Snowy Range. We can increase economic activity using the mountain without dividing the community and respecting the mountain. This is the way forward.’ Penelope Ann concluded,
Authorised by Philip Cocker.208 Elizabeth Street, Hobart.
Penelope Ann Tasmanian Greens’ Candidate for Hobart
