POOR DRAFT DECISION BY WELLINGTON TRUST ON CABLE CAR DEVELOPMENT

Statement by ROCC Mt Wellington on the Report to the Tasmanian Planning Commission on the Responses to Issues raised in Representations regarding the Wellington Park Management Plan 2012 Draft Amending Plan for the Pinnacle Specific Area:

“The public and their concerns have been ignored as the Mt Wellington Pinnacle Zone process ends in a farce. This is despite over 70% of the 551 submissions indicating support for no extension to the Pinnacle development zone.

“It appears the Trust has just rubber-stamped the suggested extension to the Pinnacle Zone as well as hand-balling it further along the decision-making process. This is in spite of the fact that the cable car company, MWCC, which applied for the extension is not clear where the project will start, where it will finish or what future financial burden it will place on Hobart’s ratepayers.”

The cable car development is proposed to run through the Park from Cascade Brewery up the Mountain, ending with a large building just above the Organ Pipes that will be clearly visible from Hobart.

“The Trust should have done their job and advocated for the protection of Mt Wellington, not the interests of one developer. It appears that the Trust has wasted the public’s time with a process that is a rubber-stamped ‘Yes’.”

According to the Trust’s draft report, the Trust will wait for the Planning Commission’s comments before making a final decision on whether to submit the Amending Plan to the Governor for approval.

“The question must be raised – who is the chair of the Trust beholden to? The future of Mt Wellington or just the parts of the Tasmanian Government that think all planning decisions in Tasmania should be ‘open for business’, regardless of whether or not the business makes financial sense or recognises the sensitive natural areas on Mt Wellington? Decisions on the Mountain should include consideration of the cultural and spiritual values as well as for animal habitat and low–impact activities such as sight-seeing, walking, climbing and biking.

“ROCC calls on the Tasmanian Planning Commission to hold public hearings on the amendment to the Pinnacle Zone as it is clear that the Trust has not dispassionately or independently considered the issues raised in the submissions.

“Let’s move the debate to real enjoyment and protection for Mt Wellington rather than White Elephant developments by self-interested developers.”
Ted Cutlan, Residents Opposed to a Cable Car