Cableway across Organ Pipes
IN reply to reader Stewart Edwards ( Letters, October 18), the MWCC website on its Full Proposal pages includes a photo with a superimposed image of the cable car showing it installed directly over the top of the northern section of the Organ Pipes. MWCC’s caption confirms this, and adds that the positioning is designed to protect the system from prevailing wind ( presumably due to the shelter provided by the nearby cliffs).
The same photo shows a scene that is at present entirely natural, from the impressive dolerite columns in the foreground to the forested slopes below. The only non- natural feature in sight is the superimposed image of the cable car post- installation. This is all consistent with what I wrote in my previous letter, and I stand by my assessment. David Seymour Lindisfarne
TRAFFIC ENGINEERS KNOW
VICA Bayley writes there is “no credible evidence” a cable car will correct congestion on Pinnacle Rd ( Letters, October 19). Hasn’t he read the report by qualified traffic engineers that accompanies the MWCC DA that says exactly that? I would ask Vica Bayley to provide his report by traffic engineers. Who to believe? Trained professionals who make a living providing accurate forecasts such as that a cable car will reduce traffic on Pinnacle Rd by 40- 60 per cent or trained activists?
Tony Donaghy
Hobart Cable Car Supporters
RATHER DRIVE OR WALK
WELL said Vica Bayley ( Letters, October 19). I agree we would still rather drive, ride and walk up Mt Wellington than take a private cable car defacing our Kunanyi/ Mt Wellington. There are many more of us who support those who protect and respect our natural and cultural heritage than those who deface it for the sake of a few tourists and profits. We say no to the cable car. Maria Riedl
Battery Point
ACROSS THE COLUMNS
READER Stewart Edwards writes “the path of the cable is not directly over the Organ Pipes but to the northeast edge” ( Letters, October 18).
It is well known that path of the proposed cable car easement crosses directly over the section of cliff known as The Columns, the most prominent section of cliffs seen when the mountain is viewed from Hobart. Cable car proponent Adrian Bold has long argued that crossing the Organ Pipes is key to the project’s viability: to minimise the impact of wind; to reduce the number of towers; and as a tourism drawcard. The path of the proposed cableway is easy to verify by referring to the Mt Wellington Cableway Company’s website “Official Detail” page including the Pinnacle Site Plan that clearly shows the cableway easement across the centre of The Columns.
Ben Jones
South Hobart
AMPHITHEATRE
YES, Stewart Edwards ( Letters, October 18). From the MWCC Official Detail booklet, images on pages 2, 4, 10, text on page 22, and at least six figures in the development application show the cable car route passing over the well- known feature referred to as the Amphitheatre. While not the geographic centre of the entire feature classified as the Organ Pipes, the Amphitheatre is one of, if not the main focal points of the mountain.
Rod Maier
Mount Nelson
CRAMMED VIEWS
READER Kaz Hinds ( Letters September 5) says the Mt Wellington cable car would offer 360 degree views and be great for the disabled and elderly.
The dimensions of the proposed aerial trams are stated as 6.9 metres by 3.9 metres, about twice the size of my kitchen. Into this would be crammed up to 80 people, about three per square metre ( pre- COVID figures). Be prepared for standing room only. Perhaps there would be straps to hold onto, like in a Melbourne tram.
A passenger lucky enough to stand near a window may get a view in one direction. A person who is short, in a wheelchair, or on a portable seat would have more restricted views for the 5.7 minutes’ ride.
Christian Narkowicz Bellerive
PLENTY OF WILDNESS
IN reply to reader John Herbert ( Letters, October 4), this is 2.4km of road bulldozed through threatened woodland to a large carpark and terminal buildings in a quiet recreation zone, massive towers and cables up the eastern face of the mountain and a seven level commercial complex at the fragile alpine summit. Certainly the summit carpark is not wild ( except during blizzards) but much of the rest of Wellington Park does remain substantially wild and natural, a mountain landscape of dramatic cliffs and ecologically robust, beautiful native bushland.
We have this at our back door. No other Australian capital and few worldwide can match such an extraordinary privilege. Many, many people enjoy the mountain’s wild side by walks short and long, but such experiences would be profoundly compromised by infrastructure for swinging gondolas and a privatised Pinnacle whisky bar.
Rob Blakers
South Hobart