Eco pitch for $50m proposal THE PITCH
Path over Organ Pipes
THE proponents of the cable car project will sell it to the public as a low-impact, environmentally friendly tourism investment that will improve the kunanyi/Mt Wellington experience.
After years of speculation, the Mount Wellington Cableway Company will finally reveal today that its proposed $50 million cable car project will launch from a clearing along the main fire trail within Mount Wellington Park.
MWCC’s preliminary proposal was for a two-stage cableway over 4.6km from the Cascade Brewery and also had an option for the end of Old Farm Rd.
But Carlton and United Breweries took those options off the table when it said it would not lease or sell any land to the company.
MWCC’s cableway length is 2.7km, which retains a height gain of almost 1000m, making it “the tallest cable car in the southern hemisphere”.
The cable car will go over the Organ Pipes and the route proposes three towers. The first two towers are 45-55m in height near the base station.
The plan estimates only 10-15m of these towers will be visible above the tree canopy.
The last tower, near the summit, will be 36m tall sitting below the skyline when viewed from the city.
For this tower, there are two different options to gauge public preference — a rust-coloured metal lattice tower or a sculptured concrete tower.
MWCC has commissioned a custom-built cabin design from a Switzerland engineering company called Doppelmayr Garaventa Group.
The cabin features floor-toceiling glass, no motor and an open-air balcony for its two cable cars. These silent cable cars will be secured by three cables — two track cables for stability and one haul rope for propulsion, which the company says will allow for reliable operation in windy conditions.
At top speeds the cable cars can ascend and descend in under seven minutes, fit up to 80 passengers each and will be staffed by a tour guide.
Ticket prices for the service will be determined after a development application has been approved.
MWCC chairwoman Jude Franks said the company had listened to the public feedback.
“Our detailed plans address a range of issues raised with us including the location and road access to the base station, traffic amenity and flow,” she said.
Ms Franks said the company was highly confident in the technical design, safety and financial viability of the project.
“Since 2014 a massive amount of work has gone into the design and engineering as well as very detailed studies of weather and visitation patterns, and other aspects of this project,” she said.
Swiss engineers from Doppelmayr Garaventa Group will arrive tomorrow to examine the potential site.
The Mercury understands MWCC has applied for a new authority from the State Government to carry out final geotechnical surveys and is seeking permission from the council for a flora and fauna study for a proposed new link road.
If both are approved, MWCC will submit a development application to the council. The proponent aims to have the cable car flying high by 2021.
Finally, all Hobartians have a chance to pore over the detail of what is actually being proposed. We suggest everyone does so. EDITORIAL PAGE 28