Mt Roland cable car bid gains momentum

WHILE debate rages about a proposal to construct a cable car on Hobart’s kunanyi/Mt Wellington, a push to carry tourists to the top of Sheffield’s stunning backdrop is quietly gaining traction. The idea of building a cable car to take people to the top of Mt Roland was first mooted by Sheffield tourism stalwarts Brian Inder and John Sinclair in 2013. Last year it was costed at $13.8 million. An independent feasibility study has now given the project the thumbs up, and another has supported building a network of mountain bike trails down Sheffield’s most recognisable attraction to capitalise on the cable car venture. Director and project lead Justin Carman said the results were pleasing. “Our first study focused on the cableway system itself, to transport passengers to and from the mountain top,” Mr Carman said. He said an AEC report found the cableway proposal to be “both technically and financially feasible and attractive for its economic and external benefits to the communities involved”. The second study looked at the merits of a mountain bike park, made up of 12 trails from the mountain top back to the cableway base station. “The [Dirt Art] study found Mt Roland had the potential to offer a ‘truly unique and iconic mountain biking experience’, one which we think should be pursued,” Mr Carman said. “The studies provide us with confidence to progress the project into the second stage of de- sign and planning applications. And we are excited at all the opportunities this project creates within the region, a region we argue is one of the most beautiful on this planet.” The project proponents will approach the State Government seeking support for the tourism venture. Costed designs will also need to be produced and a development application lodged with Kentish Council. “Ongoing communication with the community is a given,” Mr Carman said. Tourism experts have said the project would open up the mountain to hundreds of thousands of visitors who marvel at it, but often bypass it, as they travel. Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin described Mt Roland as “extraordinary”. “If the Cradle Mountain vision is realised, 400,000 visitors a year will see Mt Roland and if they have a reason to stop — something to do — they will,” Mr Martin said.