The Greens have come out against a new proposal to build a zip-line down the side of Hobart’s kunanyi/Mt Wellington, arguing it would commercialise the iconic mountain.
MP Vica Bayley, who previously led the Residents Opposed to the Cable Car group, said the project would effectively turn the mountain into a “theme park”.
“This kind of private commercial development has no place in any of Tasmania’s parks and reserves, including kunanyi,” he said.
The planned zip-line would be the longest in the Asia-Pacific, stretching over a kilometre from The Springs to Strickland Avenue.
If it clears planning and environmental assessments, it will go before Hobart city councillors for approval.
Bayley said the Greens would encourage the community to formally oppose the tourism project.
“Many have already expressed their dismay at another commercial project seeking to privatise parts of the mountain and its impact on the visitor amenity with built structures, noise, environmental and other impacts,” he said.
“The Aboriginal community is on the record rejecting this proposal and, following the controversy of the cable car, we know many locals will be similarly opposed.”
The state government is currently undertaking a review of the management and use of the mountain, receiving more than 7,000 submissions during a recent period of consultation.
Last year, Resources Minister Eric Abetz described the review as “holistic” and “strategic”, saying it aimed to shape a “shared community vision”.
“The review has provided an opportunity for the community to have their say and we are now considering responses to inform this vision,” he said.
The public has until February 19 to submit feedback on the zip-line proposal.
