Transcript of media conference with Eric Abetz, Minister for Business, Industry and Resources; Madeleine Ogilvie, Liberal Member for Clark; Amy Hills, CEO of Tourism Industry Council Tasmania; and Alex Heroys, CEO of Destination Southern Tasmania, Hunter St, Hobart, 23 May 2024.

Madeleine Ogilvie

I’m delighted to be here today to talk about our beautiful mountain kunyanyi / Mount Wellington, and the work that we’re going to do to make it more accessible for locals and tourists alike. This has been a passion project for me over many, many years, to see our Mount Wellington / kunyanyi more loved, more visited and more cared for.

So we’re announcing a strategic review. Minister Abetz will lead that and will talk to that in a moment. But I’d like to say to the people of Tasmania, this is a hugely positive day for our beautiful mountain, as many people will know, I have a family connection on that mountain that goes back to the era of the Great Depression, building the road up the mountain, which was known as Ogilvie’s scar back in the day, but open that mountain up as a playground for everybody. What a huge success.

But it’s time for change. It’s time for a contemporary approach. We want to draw everybody into that conversation to make sure that the voice of locals and our tourism operators and everybody who loves and uses that mountain is at the table, complete confidence that Minister Abetz will be able to do that. He is charged with running this project.

Eric Abetz

With over 400,000 visitors to the mountain each year, there is no doubt that our mountain is something that is treasured not only by locals, but also interstate and international visitors. As somebody who rode his pushbike up the mountain a couple of times. I know how wonderful the scenery is, driven up there of course, many occasions as well.

This is a wonderful community asset, over 18,000 hectares, owned by the people of Tasmania. A lot of people have said to us – the member for Clark in her capacity as a local member for Clark, Madeleine Ogilvie, she picked that up campaigning as well that people were asking – ‘What are we doing with this great asset? Is there a long term vision?’

In the past there’s been an ad hoc this and ad hoc that. What we want is a comprehensive, holistic approach, and that will be led by the Department of State Growth for about a period of 12 months. Let me say I thought initially that the 12 month period was a bit too long; on reflection, given all the stakeholders and the comprehensive nature of that which needs to be done, I think about 12 months is the right time period. If it can come in earlier, good, if it might take a little bit longer, so be it.

With all that said, what we’re looking at is fire management, transport issues, cultural heritage, and of course as a tourism destination it’s vitally important. And at this stage, I’ll hand over to Amy and Alex from the tourism sector to say a few words, and then happy to take questions.

Amy Hills

Obviously kunanyi / Mount Wellington holds a very special place in the hearts of all Hobartians but also all Tasmanians. At the same time, it’s one of our most visitors natural attractions; many people will be surprised to know that it actually surpasses Cradle Mountain and Freycinet. So we believe as an industry that the mountain needs just as much priority investment and planning and longer term planning as those iconic attractions.

We know that the mountain needs investment right now in basic infrastructure to ensure it’s up to speed for what Tasmanians want and what visitors want. So we’re looking forward to taking part in this review, to make sure that we do have a long term plan for the mountain, one that aligns with our positive impact agenda that we’ve agreed with government, which is all about our industry making a positive impact on our environment, our community, our Tasmanian way of life.

And of course, we feel like we have been talking about the future of Mount Wellington for quite some time. So we’re hoping that this review can be done as soon as possible, and for the government to put as much resource behind this as possible because we do believe it’s critical, not only for the tourism industry, but for the future of the very mountain that sits behind us.

Journalist – unidentified

[inaudible]

Amy Hills

Look, I think, as the Minister has outlined, it does need to be holistic, it needs to look at everything through from management through to funding through to sustainable, long term, year round transport solutions. It is a really big piece of work but it’s a critical and important piece of work. And I think that if everyone is able to have their say, including the tourism industry, that we will get to a really important vision for this this mountain as we have for Cradle, as we have for Freycinet.

Journalist – Elliott

How would it impact the number of visitors going up the mountain if there was a price to pay for the experience?

Amy Hills

Look it’s an interesting question. Part of our visitor economy strategy is looking at what further value we can look at in terms of extracting from our visitors because our visitors often want to give back to the environment and to the community. That’s something that we’ll talk to the government about whether that might be in the terms of reference or the scope of reference. And I think that’s something that we need to bear out through discussion with the community and with operators as well.

We know we’re heading into a difficult time during winter this year, cost of living is starting to bite, but we do need to take a long term vision about how we’re moving forward and looking at how our visitors can give back to our community is important as well. But that’s not something that I want to jump the gun on. It’s something that I’d want to have a conversation on

Journalist – Josh Duggan

Is it something you’re very open to?

Amy Hills

I look I think everything will be brought to the table but again, I think we need to get the basics right first and that is what is the management structure, how are we funding it, land tenure, etc before we start looking at those future viability and sustainability options.

Alex Heroys

Alex Heroys, CEO of Destination Southern Tasmania. For a long time we’ve realised that kunanyi / Mount Wellington has been sort of the victim of under investment for many, many years. It is one of our most important natural assets especially in southern Tasmania. It attracts many people and frames Hobart as a destination. But I suppose more importantly, it is deeply loved by the locals. So it’s something that we need to get right and we do need to take our time to get right.

To use examples, a couple of weeks ago when the aurora came across Tasmania, the traffic up to Mount Wellington was huge, many people wanted to get up there to experience that incredible dark sky and that astro-tourism push. So we know that we need to look at a sustainable transport solution, but also understand how we’re going to pay for that and find out some sort of funding model that can help us into the future. And as Amy said, there are some immediate needs in infrastructure and safety up the mountain. But also to understand the governance structures of it. It’s quite difficult to operate events or attractions on the mountain. So we need to look at that governance structure as well.

Journalist – Josh Duggan

The pinnacle in particular is a tourism draw card, but the foothills and surrounds are almost like a local playground? How do you balance those [inaudible]

Alex Heroys

Well, it’s absolutely true. I mean, one of the one of the things that we do struggle with is that the mountain in the visitors’ mind is a bit of a singular proposition at the moment: it is a trip to the summit. But we know that there’s multiple attractions on the mountain already with mountain bike tracks, walking tracks, all around the foothills. The kunanyi mountain run runs right around the outside of the mountain and actually avoids the summit. So there’s a there’s a job for us to do to explain to the visitors what else is on the mountain and also understand from the locals what they value, and what we can promote on the mountain as well.

Journalist – Josh Duggan

You got asked this on Leon this morning but it’s the question on everyone’s lips: is this a path to getting the cable car over the line?

Eric Abetz

Look, no it’s not. This is a holistic review. Sure, will the cable car be discussed in the consultations, I think you’re on to money there, I’m sure it will be by those that support it, by those that oppose it. We will as a Department of State Growth and then as a government, look at all the submissions come to a landing on some of these issues, so that we can have a long term vision for our mountain and ensure that we get the maximum benefit out of it for the benefit of the people of Tasmania, whilst ensuring that we preserve its heritage and environment.

Journalist – unidentified

[inaudible]

Eric Abetz

Look, the government’s policy on it is clear. But the review is there for us to have a look at what all the recommendations are.

Journalist – Josh Duggan

Is it about bringing development into the space more generally?

Eric Abetz

Look, no preconceived ideas other than to say, as Alex told us, from time to time there are serious issues on the mountain in relation to traffic, and that disinclines people to go up the mountain and I think the visitor experience can be enhanced. Let’s see if that is possible. And if it’s possible, how do we go about it? That’s what the review’s about.

Tasmanian Times

The Parliament commissioned a report into Pathways to Reconciliation and Truth-Telling with Aboriginal people, that was presented to Premier Gutwein in November 2021? Now recommendation 13 of that report was, I quote, ‘consider creation of a kunanyi / Mount Wellington Aboriginal Protected Area’. Will that be part of this review?

Eric Abetz

Look, clearly there will be consultation with all sectors of the community and that includes the Aboriginal community.

Journalist – Josh Duggan

Is that a key part of this process? There’s obviously, any time anything happens on the mountain they are very prominent.

Eric Abetz

I’m not going to prioritise any particular group. But clearly that is an issue that will be given serious consideration.

Journalist – Josh Duggan

Is it an issue or an opportunity?

Eric Abetz

Both.

Journalist – Josh Duggan

Would you like to see the management of demand out of the hands of the Trust?

Eric Abetz

I think that the Trust does a relatively good job with a relatively small budget and we’ve got to take that into account when considering what they do and don’t do. That’s all part and parcel of the review: no preconceived ideas, be it in relation to the role of the Aboriginal community, be it in relation to the Trust, be it in relation to tourism opportunities. All of that is on the table.

Journalist – Elliott

Does that include charging fees for people going up there?

Eric Abetz

I have a personal instinct on that. But once again, no preconceived ideas and let’s see what the review tells us. And what’s the experience from elsewhere whether a fee disinclines to people to visit what is a great community asset, and if a fee were to be charged, how would it be charged? To whom? All those things. I’m not going to give you an answer on the fly here, but it’s interesting that MONA doesn’t charge for locals but for others and so all these variables will be considered by the review.

Journalist – Adam Langenberg

Would you like to see vehicle access all the way up to the summit continue? Or will the review stop that?

Eric Abetz

Oh, look, that’d be a lovely thing to occur. But as we know, from time to time, there are very heavy snow falls on the mountain, which ensures that you can’t get the vehicular access right up to the top at all times. So those things are all for the review to consider.

Journalist – Adam Langenberg

But you’re open to perhaps restricting that even more than it is at the moment?

Eric Abetz

Look, again, no preconceived ideas. Let’s let the review do what it’s tasked to do. And let’s see what its findings and recommendations are.

Journalist – Bob Burton

I was just reviewing your charter letter, your first 100 days priorities, where did this idea come from?

Eric Abetz

Any government that is elected and goes to a campaign has its issues on which ad campaigns, but there is the normal business of government, and you don’t just restrict yourself to those issues that you campaigned on. And I’m sure that everybody would welcome this review, so that we can get the best possible outcomes for our mountain, this 18,000 hectare community asset.

Journalist – Adam Langenberg

Is the review something you’ve put forward as an idea?

Eric Abetz

It’s something that the government has put forward, and when you’re a member of cabinet, it is the cabinet and the party room that decides these things. And I’m not going to claim credit or anything else in relation to list, the total parliamentary party lays credit to this. But it’d be fair to say that there are champions of the mountain, and one of those might be standing next to me,

Madeleine Ogilvie

I didn’t want to chip in but I really want to chip in and can I say thank you so much, Eric, for taking this on. I really appreciate it. And I just want to give a flavor to everybody. When we go up the mountain with the cars full of kids and the snow’s there and we’re at The Springs and everybody’s enjoying it, what an amazing experience that is for Tasmania. It’s really unique. It’s a money-can’t-buy experience. And we want that to be safe and beautiful and fantastic. So coffee on the mountain is great, but facilities can be improved. And we talked about the stargazing before … my kids went up there in the car to do the stargazing. And it really just resonated, not just with Tasmania but right across the planet. So it is timely. And I really appreciate it Eric, thank you.

Journalist – Bob Burton

There was no mention of this review in your ‘keeping our parks and environment strong’ plan before the election. Why is it suddenly being announced?

Eric Abetz

Well, as I just said before, the issues of government continue. You don’t only act on election issues, and we are maintaining our pursuit of those election issues. But there is the normal business that is, as things come up you respond to them.

Tasmanian Times

When will see the terms of reference?

Eric Abetz

Relatively soon. The department has now been tasked with dealing with that. And then undertaking the community consultations, the guidelines, and how people can have input. That’s all going to be part of the process. But we want to get this underway as quickly as possible.

There is genuine interest in this right across the board. And we want to hear what the community has to say and to offer by way of suggestions. But one thing ways that government acknowledges is that all wisdom does not reside between our two ears. The community has a lot to offer and the stakeholders have a lot to offer as well.

Journalist – Adam Langenberg

Knowing how divisive issues of development on the mountain can be to the wider community, how important is it that this is done quickly?

Eric Abetz

Look, it’s got to be done in a methodical manner where everybody is heard. So rather than quickness, I want thoroughness. And that is why we’ve put a timeline of about 12 months on this. This isn’t going to be a tick and flick, this is a genuine consultation. And it will take time.

Journalist – Bob Burton

In the middle of last year the premier met with the Mt Wellington Cablecar Company. Has he indicated to you what commitments were that he made with them?

Eric Abetz

I’m not aware of those that meeting all the commitments that may or may not have been made, other than we all know what the government’s policies in relation to that. But we continue to have this review to see what can and can’t be done on the mountain.

Journalist – Josh Duggan

A crash on the Brooker this morning and the traffic was pretty blocked up. When are we going to see some solutions to Hobart’s traffic problems? This isn’t a new issue where one one crash brings everything to a halt.

Eric Abetz

Hobart’s traffic issues are clearly front and centre of the government’s mind. The city deal had incorporated in it some of those elements, but also part and parcel of life is that from time to time, there will be unfortunate incidents and accidents which slow down the traffic. And an accident, no matter what your plan, and no matter what the road infrastructure, accidents will, unfortunately, from time to time, slow down traffic, and that’s part of life in a modern city. But to try to minimise that is what we as the government are trying to do with our city deal and the traffic management plans that we’ve got underway.

Journalist – Josh Duggan

The House yesterday passed a motion calling on Metro to restore the services that have been cut as soon as possible. Do you have any idea when Metro might be restoring those services?

Eric Abetz

Metro would love to be able to restore the services as quickly as possible. In Australia today, as we are standing here, there is a shortage of 25,000 drivers right around Australia. Just in southeast Queensland, a shortage of 500 drivers. And so this is not a uniquely Tasmania issue. This is unfortunately an Australia-wide issue. When you’ve got unemployment at historic lows, then there are going to be labour shortages and unfortunately Metro is facing that. We’re trying to deal with that to the best of our capacity and ability and Metro is working on restoring services.

Journalist – Josh Duggan

Metro called it a temporary cut last year. We’re about nine months in and they haven’t given us any timeline. Is it fair to say it’s a permanent cut to services?

Eric Abetz

No, no, not a permanent cut to services and Metro is working to restore. But we cannot create drivers out of thin air. And so what we’re doing is making it as attractive as possible for people to join Metro. But as I said before, this is not a unique Tasmanian issue. 25,000 driver shortage right around Australia, and unfortunately Tasmania has its fair share of that driver shortage.