A document released under Right to Information has exposed draft recommendations to build a cable car on Kunanyi/Mount Wellington, sparking fresh controversy over the long-contested proposal.
Wellington Park Management Trust minutes from July 2025 show State Growth officials presented preliminary plans that include a cable car as part of the mountain’s future.
Greens MP Vica Bayley claimed the documents prove the government’s recent Mt Wellington review process was predetermined.
“This was always a stitch-up, but we didn’t think they’d be so blatant,” he said.
“Eric Abetz’s review is naming it up as something that is needed for the mountain when the community has rejected it.”
Bayley pointed to the cable car’s troubled history, saying eight different proposals over a century have all been rejected.
“It’s been rejected by TASCAT, it’s been rejected by the community and the TASCAT process showed that you can’t build a cable car up this mountain and still protect the values that people hold special.”
The minutes reveal Trust members questioned why the cable car was included as a draft recommendation during the State Growth briefing.
State Growth officials responded that there was a recognised need for all-weather access and other methods of transport.
In response to concerns from the Greens today, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Kerry Vincent defended keeping all options on the table.
“Cable cars as a whole are seen around the world as a great tourist attraction,” he said.
“Just because some don’t like the idea, you can’t just dismiss it and take it off the record.”
“We understand the pressures on the mountain are growing all the time and the amount of tourists and locals going up to enjoy that facility.”
“We’re working through various submissions, various ideas, and when it’s time, when that’s been worked through, we’ll be releasing some of our thoughts and ideas.”
Vincent said everything “needs to be openly looked at”, noting cable cars are being considered in other Tasmanian locations – including at Cradle Moutanin.
Labor MLC Sarah Lovell said her party remains open-minded but noted there’s currently no concrete proposal.
“There’s no plan, there’s no proponent, there’s no proposal on the table,” she said.
“Until there is, we don’t know really what we’re considering.”
The state government is expected to finalise the Mt Wellington action plan in early 2026.
