Cableway plan lacks specifics
THE state government will require council to prove how a new cableway project will work in the Gold Coast hinterland before jumping on board the $170m project.
Hinterland-based councillor Glenn Tozer, on the eve of Wednesday’s council committee meeting to discuss the proposal, wants both the city and the state to undertake an environmental study before going to public consultation.
But the Bulletin understands the government is reluctant to proceed with a “green” check because the proposal presently lacks a private enterprise backer and specifics about the route and its infrastructure.
Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said: “Springbrook National Park already has in place a management strategy which recognises its World Heritage status and environmental values.
“In the absence of any detailed proposal outside the initial preliminary feasibility study, it would be difficult to specify environmental impacts and mitigation measures.
“In 2000, an assessment report was made in relation to the Naturelink Cableway Project which recommended the project not proceed, outlining a number of issues.
“The state government is happy to work with council to explore eco-tourism opportunities, however any new cableway project would need to detail how any future proposal would differ from the last.”
In 2000, the CoordinatorGeneral recommended against the Naturelink project after reading an Environment Protection Agency review, environment impact statement and public submissions, along with legal advice. The cableway, which was to be supported by 44 towers, covered a route from 4km west of Mudgeeraba to Springbrook, crossing private land, water reserves and the World Heritage-listed forest.
The Coordinator-General said the plan raised concerns about an “increased fire hazard”, threats to the Coast’s potable water supply and potential threat to World Heritage values.
Cr Tozer said an environmental audit could be undertaken on the latest proposal because a report by a consultant had identified a “target area”.
Maps show the study area extends across the valleys between Springbrook and Neranwood.
The Urbis report found the new tourist attraction would require a capital investment of $170m and ongoing operational costs at $5.1m and concluded it had “merit” in being explored.
But consultants warned the cableway needed to be ecofriendly and fit with the character of a national park. A section of their report noted the bushfire hazard.
“The Springbrook hinterland contains extensive areas of vegetation that is capable of supporting high-intensity landscape fires beyond the capacity of emergency services to control,” the report said.