New push to revive cableway

A LEADING Hinterland lobby group has thrown its weight behind revived plans for a Gold Coast cableway.

Mudgeeraba Chamber of Commerce president Terry Hobson has backed a push by Mayor Tom Tate to make the tourist attraction a reality after more than 20 years of failed starts.

Environmentalists have already vowed to fight the controversial project, citing fears of damage to the rainforest and a belief that Springbrook would be unable to cope with a mass influx of tourists.

But Mr Hobson has hit back at opponents, including environmental group Gecko, saying the Hinterland was in desperate need of economic revival.

“What about the township of Springbrook destroyed by the Anna Bligh government in a buyback scheme, all caused to secure the ‘Greenies’ vote,” he said.

“Their supposed agenda was to protect millions of trees that no one knew even existed.

“Not only were those few businesses in Springbrook destroyed by this move but destroyed those families who had run them for years, losing their homes in the process.

“Tourism is not only about our beaches, riding on trams, visiting theme parks; it’s about the whole Gold Coast, the Hinterland which has so much beauty, waterfalls, like nowhere else in the world.”

Mr Hobson said the Coast would benefit from the same kind of uplift in visitors that Cairns received from its Kuranda Skyrail.

Cr Tate revealed in the Bulletin last week that he intended to commit $1 million to an environmental and economic feasibility study if he wins the March 28 council election.

He hopes to submit the plan to the state by mid-2021.