Media release – Residents Opposed to the Cable Car (ROCC), 24 November 2022

RESIDENTS RULE OUT COSTS APPLICATION AND REITERATE CALL FOR CABLE CAR PLANS TO BE DROPPED

As the window of opportunity to apply for costs incurred in the TASCAT cable car appeal closes, Residents Opposed to the Cable Car (ROCC) has resolved to not apply for costs and calls on the cable car proponent to abandon what was again confirmed to be an unviable, unpopular and non-compliant development for kunanyi.

While applications for costs can be made following a planning appeal, legal advice received by ROCC indicates that they are rarely awarded and, despite the overwhelming result of this appeal, are highly unlikely to be awarded in this case. ROCC is also skeptical that, even if successful, the Mount Wellington Cableway Company would be solvent enough to honour any costs order made against them.

“This appeal has cost the community dearly, in time, energy and money, but we’re not going to consume more TASCAT time considering a costs application that would be unlikely to be awarded and probably unable to be paid by the developer,” said Vica Bayley, spokesperson for ROCC.

“We and so many people want an end to the cable car farce. While the developer has the right to appeal the TASCAT decision to the Supreme Court, we call on it to abandon that option and leave the mountain alone.

“This development has dominated the political and practical conversations about investment in Wellington Park. Taking it off the table will allow genuinely sustainable options for investment in visitor access and amenity to be considered.

“The TASCAT decision confirmed issues of concern that were central to the Hobart City Council’s permit rejection and have been raised by the community for years. It’s time the proponent accepted the legitimacy of these concerns and walked away from the cable car.

“ROCC acknowledges the thousands of people who have supported our legal engagement with financial contributions and shares their disappointment at not being able to recover costs.

“Given the scale and scope of the TASCAT rejection of this development, not being eligible to recover costs feels unfair, but like so many others, we just want it all over so people can move on.