MPs must step in to save the latest cable car
Objectors must understand importance of private sector, writes John Cleary
IT is more than 20 years since the first serious proposal to construct a cable car to the pinnacle of Mt Wellington.
Since then, numerous reports and studies have been completed, and a significant amount of public and private money has been spent pursuing the idea to satisfy the increasing burden of statutory requirements. One has to ask how much more information is required. For a few individuals to stop the proponents from even a road survey or flora and fauna study is nonsensical.
I well remember introducing legislation to establish the Wellington Park Management Trust in 1993, which brought together the various interests relating to the mountain (Hobart and Glenorchy councils, Parks and Wildlife Service and Hobart Water). At that time, when it was suggested a cable car ought to be considered as a project of state significance, there were howls from objectors that the government was fast-tracking the project. Twenty-five years later we are still apparently fast-tracking the project, according to the latest group of objectors.
Over that time, we have heard every possible objection raised by small but determined groups. A recent concern is about the financial viability and the view private enterprise should not be allowed to construct development on public land because they may make money.
I suspect the majority of those who raise this kind of objection are employed in comfortable government jobs, or otherwise supported out of the public purse. They need to consider that those of us who have operated businesses in the private sector provide employment to many Tasmanians and, more importantly, we are the ones who mortgage our homes and futures to raise finance. We are the ones who take the risks of losing everything if projects fail. We don’t get paid leave, annual wage increases or redundancy payments, nor is there any chance of redeployment when our enterprises fail. In many cases those who operate private business work longer hours and take home less wages than their employees.
I would suggest that the current proponents of the cable car, who are putting millions of their own money on the line, are better able to judge the likely viability of the project.
Objectors need to realise that without a viable private sector paying taxes and other contributions to the public purse, there will not be money to support our hospitals, schools and other public services including their wages.
They need to be reminded Tasmania already has more than half of its population being paid or supported out of the public purse.
It is ironic that the public purse is nevertheless investing significant funds in new walking and mountain bike tracks, as well as regular upgrades to the Pinnacle Rd and carparks on the mountain, all of which will have a far greater environmental impact than any cable car but are not subject to the same demands from objectors.
It is time for the State Government to step in, or we will be talking about it in another 25 years.
The petty decision by the Hobart City Council to disallow the fauna and flora study is nothing more than an attempt to stop the project. How can proponents get a fair and objective hearing from the council as the local planning authority when so many of its members have expressed their opposition.
Local government elections will not reflect the views of the general population of greater Hobart, or the state, because it will only be the motivated few who will cast their vote in these non-compulsory elections.