Media release – Senator Nick McKim, Greens Senator for Tasmania, 22 May 2023
Cradle Mountain Cableway
The Greens have welcomed news revealed in Senate Estimates that the Commonwealth has withdrawn federal funding for the Cradle Valley Cableway.
“Tasmania’s wilderness is far too precious to be despoiled for profit, and surely now this horrendous project can be consigned to the dustbin where it belongs,” Greens Senator for Tasmania Nick McKim said.
“This is a terrific result for Tasmania’s precious wilderness, and a relief for the countless Tasmanians who want our national parks properly looked after.”
“The project never stacked up, and never had a social license.”
“It was simply a pipe-dream of the develop-at-all-costs brigade, and a lazy attempt at pork barrelling. Its cheerleaders should be ashamed of themselves.”
“For the Liberals to be prioritising funding for a $190 million cable car and a billion-dollar stadium during a housing crisis shows how grossly out of touch they are.”
The response to the Greens’ question on notice can be found here.
Media release – Anita Dow MP, Member for Braddon, 22 May 2023
Five-year cableway delay costs Tasmania $30 million, proves Government’s priorities are wrong
Today’s withdrawal of $30 million in grant funding for the Cradle Mountain Cableway is another perfect example of Jeremy Rockliff’s Liberal Government having completely the wrong priorities for Tasmania.
The State Government has had five years to get a business case done for this $60 million project yet still hasn’t delivered it.
As a result, they have put a $60 million tourism investment for Tasmania at risk.
This is a government that is so preoccupied with fighting among themselves and cutting terrible deals with the AFL that they have completely forgotten how to govern.
If Jeremy Rockliff wasn’t so obsessed with building a stadium in Hobart, maybe funding for a project in his own electorate of Braddon wouldn’t have been withdrawn.
statement provided to TT – Nick Sawyer, Tasmanian National Parks Association, 22 May 2023
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The cableway proposal was part of the so-called Cradle Master Plan. The big end of the tourism industry thought that a gimmick (a cableway) was needed to attract additional visitors. The cableway proposal would have died a natural death years ago if it hadn’t been for a federal government funding promise in the context of the 2018 Braddon by-election.
The Tasmanian government needs to realise that people visit Tasmania’s national parks to experience wild nature not for a Disneyland experience.
The Tasmanian Parks & Wildlife Service’s own data shows that the vast majority of visitors are extremely satisfied with the existing shuttle bus service. There is potential to increase the capacity of the shuttle bus service if it is considered appropriate to pack even more visitors into Dove Lake. There is no need for a ‘sustainable transport solution’ also known as a cableway.
Media release – Guy Barnett, Minister for State Development, Construction and Housing, 22 May 2023
Australian Government urged to engage on the future of Cradle Valley Cable Way
The Tasmanian Government has formally written to the Australian Government requesting that the $30 million in matched federal funding committed to the Cradle Valley Cable Way project be preserved, while discussions continue between the two Governments on the best way to progress the project.
“The Tasmanian Government has completed the business case, which includes a comprehensive analysis of potential cable way routes, to determine what is technically feasible and compatible with the World Heritage status of this iconic area,’’ Minister Barnett said.
“The Business Case has been considered by Cabinet and has been provided to the Australian Government.
“The previous Australian Government had determined to provide its matched funding of $30 million for this project through its Community Development Grant Program.
“However, the current Australian Government announced last year that the CDG Program would cease and while it would honour existing projects, it reinforced a condition that all moneys were required to be expended by 2026.
“The Australian Government confirmed that this date could not be extended, meaning it was no longer possible for the State to progress the project under that Program.
“However, we want to ensure that the Commonwealth’s committed funds are preserved for Tasmania while we work through the implications of the business case, which estimates the project to now total $190 million, based on materials and other construction costs in this remote location.’’ Minister Barnett said.
The Tasmanian Government remains committed to a sustainable transport solution to connect the Gateway Village Precinct and Dove Lake and wants to work with stakeholders and the Australian Government on the best pathway forward, however we must also take a prudent approach to managing Tasmania’s interests and we call on the Australian Government to work with us rather than put this project in doubt.
