The Hobart City Council voted to refuse the cable car development application on 27 July, 2021 (pln-19-345). The proponent appealed to the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (TASCAT). Hearings commenced on Monday 22 August. On this page is a summary of the first week of the Mount Wellington Cable Car hearing at TASCAT. The hearings are recorded and available on the Department of Justice YouTube Channel. As TCT is a joined party to the proceedings, it would be inappropriate to comment on the appearance of witnesses and the veracity of the evidence presented. However, we can make some of the work of viewing the hearings easier by breaking the proceedings up by witness and subject matter for those who wish to watch the proceedings for themselves. The first week was primarily concerned with statements of evidence from the proponent and the proponents witnesses. All links below are to the proponent’s witnesses unless otherwise stated.
By donating you can help protect our beautiful kunanyi Mt Wellington. All funds raised via this appeal will go to the campaign to protect the mountain, including funding expert planners and consultants to defend the permit refusal at appeal.
All donations of $2 and above are tax deductible.
View the summary page of the Cable Car TASCAT hearings here.
Archive – The Cable Car proposal (2021) – The Mt. Wellington Cable Car Company proposed a 35m tall pylon and four story 3,147m2 complex above the organ pipes; a 3,408m2 base station, two pylons (45m & 55m) inside Wellington Park and a 2.2 km access road through protected eucalyptus forest. The road (above the South Hobart tip), base station and pylons require substantial clearing of native vegetation (some threatened) on council land and within the boundary of the Wellington Park. The pinnacle complex and upper pylon will sit above the organ pipes in a highly sensitive alpine environment and will be visible from most places in greater Hobart. kunanyi/Mt. Wellington was formally reserved as Wellington Park in 1993 after a long campaign by Tasmanians and environment groups including the Tasmanian Conservation Trust. It is protected by a management plan which sets out what development is allowed within the park.
About TCT – TCT has a proud history of conservation outcomes in Tasmania including establishing the Mt Wellington Reserve, playing a role in stopping the Super Trawler and Tamar Valley Pulp Mill as well as countless local projects. Some of the most prominent examples are listed here. TCT depends on donations, big and small to continue fighting for Tasmania’s biodiversity and unique natural values. The TCT stands with communities across Tasmania to:
• prevent over-development in local reserves and national parks.
• protect threatened and endangered species, including their important habitat.
• oppose planning decisions that favour property developers and shut out local communities.