History shows Springs plan best suited

NO wonder Luke Martin is disappointed at the delayed proposal to build a restaurant at the Springs ( Mercury, April 16). Obviously architect Robert MorrisNunn is delaying his plan to build a restaurant until there is surety about the cable car. I read his original proposal for the restaurant some years ago.

It was well designed for the Springs infrastructure for drainage, water supply and waste management, all necessary for the dolerite base. I didn’t know then if Prof Morris-Nunn was aware of any other proposals that were blowing in the wind. However he was sensibly cautious. The cable car proposal is literally blowing in the wind. We still don’t know the costings of it. No mention of supporting infrastructure such as water supply and disposal of grey water for extra toilets to cope with the queues of tourists waiting on the freezing plateau, nor first aid station in case of road closure.

Even Hobart City Council is cagey about whether the summit is a suitable place for a restaurant. The oldies had the right idea years ago when the original Springs Hotel was built. It was in a sheltered position, excellent site for an emergency/evacuation centre, not too far for deliveries and the vacant site is still best suited for a restaurant and visitor centre. My money is with Prof Morris-Nunn’s proposal. But not at the cost of gondolas swinging overhead ruining the ambience of the Springs. Please leave the cable car proposal blowing in the wind.