Cassy O'Connor MP | Greens Leader
It is almost certain that the proposed Mount Wellington Cable Car will be declared a Project of State Significance (POSS) and assessed by the Tasmanian Planning Commission.
The State Policies and Projects Act makes it clear that a proposal only has to meet two of eight criteria to be declared a POSS.
Minister Groom knows the Tasmanian Development Board evaluation is just a formality. He should be more up front with Tasmanians about the reality of the process.
The experience of communities fighting both the Tamar Valley pulp mill and the Ralphs Bay canal estate is that the TPC found these proposals - which had been declared Projects of State Significance - failed to stack up on the evidence.
The cable car is not supported by the local Aboriginal community or the Hobart City Council, as well as a significant number of concerned locals. To date, these legitimate concerns have been ignored by the proponents and the Liberals in government.
Tasmanians who are concerned about the visual, environmental and economic costs of the proposed cable car were ignored in the decision by the Wellington Park Trust to extend the pinnacle zone to accommodate a cable car. They cannot be ignored this time.
The Greens will continue to advocate for kunanyi/Mt Wellington to be unscarred by a cable car, and for better visitor and interpretation facilities to be located at The Springs.