Big ideas for summit centre

THE $16 million pinnacle centre will sit atop kunanyi/Mt Wellington and comprise a restaurant, bar and a community event space fit to host a wedding or a concert.

The proposed centre is designed to sit below the skyline, introducing new facilities such as a park ranger office, medical room, seating, security, waste management and parenting rooms for young families.

Mount Wellington Cableway Company proposes to remove the current public shelter and replace it with the centre, with better facilities and safety regulation compliant walkways.

The plan includes building a new non-slip elevated and ramped boardwalk, with lookouts and points of interest between the centre and existing carpark.

There will be 34 new toilets including five disabled plus free wi-fi throughout the centre and a 24/7 open shelter.

A wind-sheltered amphitheatre will host community events, concerts, weddings and school excursions, a sanctum will allow those to silently contemplate the mountain and the visitor centre will feature information on the geology, Aboriginal and colonial history of kunanyi/Mt Wellington.

Under the proposal, Pinnacle Rd will remain open and free.

MWCC’s traffic impact assessment suggests there will be between 42 per cent and 60 per cent fewer cars and buses accessing Wellington Park once the cable car is operational.

By 2021, the proponents estimate there will be 766,547 visitors to Mt Wellington, and 470,979 of those will travel via the cable cars.

MWCC says this will mean less traffic congestion on Pin- nacle Rd and at the Mt Wellington carpark.

The centre sits within the Wellington Park Pinnacle Zone Specific Area, which cov- ers the summit of the mountain and allows for telecommunication infrastructure, commercial activities, transport depots and visitor services.