The Tasmanian Conservation Trust (TCT) today joined other conservation and community groups in condemning the state government’s decision to compulsorily acquire council owned land in the Wellington Park to help the cable car progress.
‘The summit of Mt Wellington is owned by the Hobart City Council on behalf of the rate-payers of Hobart and the state government wants to steel it away from them for a development that the people do not want,’ said TCT Director Peter McGlone.
‘The government’s action to help progress the cable car is a horrific threat to the natural values and beauty of Mt Wellington.
‘Mt Wellington is loved by the people of Hobart just the way it is.’
‘The Mountain is an integral part of the lifestyle of Hobartians and they will not stand for this proposal.’
The TCT also calls into question Minister Matthew Groom’s statement yesterday that the state government will not financially assist the proposed cable car.
‘Firstly, the government is proposing to gift land to the proponent,’ Mr McGlone continued.
‘Secondly, in in late 2012 I attended a meeting with then opposition leader the Will Hodgman, Matthew Groom and Elise Archer, at which Will Hodgman told me and other community representatives that “a Liberal government may facilitate the cable car by providing infrastructure”.’
‘The meeting occurred at Parliament House in late 2012, my written notes on this point are very clear and there were other witnesses to this statement.’
‘We fully expect the state government to help pay for vital elements of infrastructure required for the cable car that will clearly reduce the construction cost.’
‘We wonder just how much funding the Hodgman Government would be willing to spend on infrastructure for the cable car?’
‘In that same meeting neither the then leader of the opposition nor the Liberal’s Environment Spokesperson Matthew Groom would rule out closing the summit road when we asked them.’
Peter McGlone Director, Tasmanian Conservation Trust
