MT WELLINGTON CABLE CAR
Mexico jam not so far away
THOSE campaigning against the cable car have been misled or haven’t thought things through. Even if it’s a case of “not in my backyard”, their argument is wrong, because the jumble of fences, walkways, cars and intrusive buildings is anything but kind to our mountain, and would be removed were the cable car to replace it. From making them in the first place to the stink and congestion, roads are worse than any cable car. With modern pylons, dropped into place, and low visibility cables, they cause minimal disruption for a fraction of the time and resources. The existing road would be only a service facility for the restaurant and TV stations.
In Mexico City, travel to the city has become difficult and is now taken from hillside suburbs by cable cars flying over the chaos. While Hobart has not reached such a density, there are signs it will. A cableway from the cruise ship terminal to Mt Wellington would eliminate many buses. A cableway from the new Kingston carpark could follow the forested slopes to Hobart, with pick-up points along the way; this would supplement a ferry. While some may consider these ideas fanciful, they allow for implementation of proven technology and do something beyond the dead end of road transport. disregarding so many concerned citizens. The latest Hobart City Council election result showed how important this issue is. Opposition is over and above just a green element, the mountain has always been precious to many. It always seems to be development at all costs. But what a price. Why not for once hold back. As it is, tourism is booming, cruise ships in, hotels are being built, the mountain does not have to suffer. Worst of all, why divide the people of Hobart. Let’s see some statesmanship and gain respect from all.
Collins Cap day out
I’VE been intrigued with the arguments made by both sides in the cable car debate. The way I see it, it’s the siting of it. If it was to go from Tolosa Park and it was a success, they can run one on to the top of Collins Cap with a walk to the top of the mountain and down by cable car. What a great day out. This way it is out of the way and not too far from the city. I think it’s the only way out but that’s the way I see it.
Extensive private works
I WONDER how many cable car supporters have read the information circulated by the proponents (Cable Car Official Detail booklet, MWCC) or their website. There may not be a development application yet, but what they have already proposed is unacceptable. This is not just a proposal for a cable car, it intends an extensive private commercial development A new way to have your say themercury.com.au readers have a new way to have their say. It’s free to use, just register and have your say. For more details and to register, visit the website. of a significant part of the mountain summit, including removing the public shelter and walkways. They plan for the rooftop of the private Pinnacle centre to be the new public lookout so people visiting kunanyi/Mt Wellington by car or bus will be expected to walk to the commercial development for shelter. They speak of a fine dining restaurant that can be booked for private functions of up to 140 people. Do these people have to travel by the cableway or will they bring cars? The cable cars are called Skytrams, built to carry many people, not the unobtrusive small cable cars some people expect. The towers near the beautiful Chalet area and Organ Pipes 45m high for the first, 55m for the second and 36m on the top. These are hardly insignificant and would impose themselves on this valued area, which many visit for the beauty of the flowers and vegetation, or for rock-climbing on the Organ Pipes.
Wedge issue
“A WEDGE issue is a political or social issue, often of a controversial or divisive nature, which splits apart a demographic or population group (Wikipedia).” Hmm, sound like a kunanyi/Mt Wellington cable car project proposal? Adopted willingly by a State Government desperate to create a perception of being the sole party open for business? But given its recent record of political instability, could this government even be trusted to stand by the commitment to the developers should its stability be further eroded?
Sex and gender
IT is disconcerting to learn some MHAs do not know the difference between sex and gender. Legislation that tells the registrar “not to show any sex or gender information” on a birth certificate is just plain silly. Sex is a biological fact and should continue to be on birth certificates. Gender is a social and familial construction and has no place on a birth certificate. At the very least the proposed legislation should have been prefaced with a clear definition of both words.
Forcing beliefs on us
ONCE again, with dishonest transgender advertisement, we see the Catholic Church trying to force its beliefs onto everybody, instead of merely letting its beliefs control its own behaviour. Thank God its political influence is waning.
Cable car meddling
PETER Gutwein urges people who want to have a say on the cable car to do so through the planning process run by the Hobart City Council ( Mercury, March 22). Yet he insists on meddling in and subverting that process.
Taking on Federal
“GUTWEIN takes on Federal” ( Mercury, March 21). April Fools’ Day is still nine days away Pete.
Footy spring-clean
GOOD on Channel 9 for giving the AFL Footy Show an old-fashioned spring-clean and best of luck to the new cohosts and panel in hopefully presenting a truly footy show devoid of other distractions!