Economy
Organ Pipes ‘under threat’
The announcement today by the Wellington Park Management Trust should be of concern to everyone with a love of our wonderful mountain. The iconic organ pipes are under threat from the proposed cable car.
The Management Plan for Wellington Park was developed and revised in 2012 – 13 following an extensive public consultation period. Now a developer with no landowner consent, no financial backing, no business case, no development application and no social license has asked for the management plan to be changed to suit his purpose.
The proposed increase in the size of the Pinnacle Specific Area announced today has come directly as the result of a request by the developer.
“Why is the Management Plan being changed to suit this development? Surely any proposal for the mountain should be designed to comply with the plan. What is the point of the plan at all, if it is changed to suit a developer whenever a request is made by a developer?” said Ted Cutlan, a spokesperson for ROCC.
“The Management Plan itself was developed following an extensive public consultation process. It is worth noting that of the 226 submissions received during this process, 201 were in opposition to a cable car development”.
“A three storey building with a tower over 35 meters tall in front of it, positioned directly above the organ pipes will forever scar our mountain. Until there is a more information including a sound business case for the proposal, these changes should not even be considered”, said Mr. Cutlan.
• Jason Turvey: Respect The Mountain outraged …
Respect The Mountain was outraged to learn that the Wellington Park Management Trust (WPMT) had answered the call of Mount Wellington Cableway Company (MWCC) to extend the boundary of the Pinnacle Specific Area. The extension request comes only 8 months after the current Wellington Park Management Plan came into effect.
There has been no Expression of Interest (EOI) process to test any potential developments under the Wellington Park Management Plan 2013.
Respect The Mountain is aware of at least one other proposal for kunanyi – Mount Wellington however an EOI process is required before proposals can be submitted.
The timing of the boundary change is being made at the same time as MWCC is calling for a boundary change to suit their development. Yet the Trust is trying to claim the boundary change is not because of the cable car development.
This also comes after the most recent boundary change after the 2012 public consultation coinciding with the same area that MWCC had originally planned to place their visitor centre/cable car terminal. (see attachments) The results of the previous public consultation revealed that 201 of the 226 submissions were opposed to a cable car.
“Our fear is that people won’t bother making a submission as it appears someone in Government will keep pushing it through no matter what the public thinks. It makes a mockery of proper process if the result is more or less decided beforehand.” said Jason Turvey, spokesperson for the group.
“To ignore the Expression of Interest process in favour of constantly calling for public consultations until MWCC gets their way shows bias towards a particular developer with no landowner consent, no financial backing, no business case, no development application and no social license. This questions the integrity of the Trust to remain an independent statutory body if it hasn’t undertaken any due diligence with this company but yet is willing to make changes to the management plan.”
“It appears the WPMT is currently working towards a Management Plan to suit a particular developer instead of a developer working to suit the current Management Plan!” said Jason.
Respect The Mountain is concerned that major development of a restaurant and cafes are being swept through on the coat-tails of a supposedly ‘eco-friendly’ cable car while neglecting the physical damage and energy requirements of other developments in the proposal. The public focus of the visitor amenities is centred around coffees and meals in a wood-fired room.
“Are we going to be seeing smoke erupting from a chimney when we look up to the mountain in future?” said Jason. “The Trust is supposed to be focused on showcasing the natural and cultural values of the mountain. Not creating another food and beverage venue.”
“The WPMT should be working towards the HCC’s focus on developing a high-value visitor experience that show-cases the natural and cultural values of the Park to be based at The Springs in line with the HCC’s policy.”
Jason Turvey
Spokesperson, Respect The Mountain – No Cable Car