Council given cable car info
Just bushfire plan left, say proponents
ALL bar one piece of extra information on the controversial Mt Wellington cable car project has been provided to the council, say the proponents.
In January, the process for assessing the project was put on hold after the council asked for more information from the Mount Wellington Cableway Company.
The company lodged documents with the council on January 6 to address a series of questions arising from its original development application, which was made last June.
But further information was required by council on Aboriginal heritage, traffic impacts, bushfire planning, biodiversity impacts, sewage management and geotechnical assessments.
MWCC chair Chris Oldfield said COVID-19 travel restrictions had delayed completion of the company’s response to the council’s requests for further information, but most had been lodged on Friday, which “strengthens our DA”.
“HCC now has everything it needs from us except our bushfire plan developed in consultation with the Tasmania Fire Service on which we are awaiting their final feedback. We expect that will be lodged separately very soon.”
Mr Oldfield said the divisive project could provide a “muchneeded shot in the arm for the COVID-19 ravaged tourism industry”.
“Our DA and the additional information we have now provided demonstrate clearly that the project will address current traffic congestion, enhance the mountain environment, promote its heritage and vastly improve facilities for visitors.
“Once we get planning approval, we are in a great position to start work with the aim of having the cable car operating by the second half of 2022.”
Hobart City Council general manager Nick Heath said the new information received on Friday would be given to the external consultants who are assisting the council with the assessment.
“Once the request for further information is satisfied in full, we will be in a position to open the public notification process, which will provide the opportunity for the community to view in full and comment on the proposal,” he said.
jessica.howard@news.com.au