Glenorchy Mayor Sue Hickey says her community is far more open to a cable car up kunanyi/Mt Wellington than Hobart residents, as the decades-long debate reignites.
“I think if you were to do a poll of the average person in Glenorchy you would find they’re much warmer to a cable car than they are in the Hobart side of Wellington Park,” she said.
Her comments to Local Radio follow the release of documents showing the state government is considering cable car infrastructure as part of the mountain’s future development.
Hickey, a former Liberal MP and Hobart lord mayor until 2018, acknowledged her view was based on “hearsay” community sentiment rather than formal polling.
A recent government review found Glenorchy residents were the most likely to head to the mountain for snow activities and cultural experiences.
It also found their views on issues such as expanding recreation, increasing visitor numbers and protecting the mountain’s views were “moderate” compared with other councils.
Hobart locals, meanwhile, were “the strongest supporters” of protecting the park’s natural, cultural and heritage values.
“They are also the least supportive of encouraging more visitors or sustainable tourism,” the review noted.
Hickey said the geographic divide was obvious.
“Certainly we seem to be on this side of the mountain much more positive,” she said.
The mayor also raised concerns about the long-term viability of Pinnacle Road, saying it is “not going to last”.
Council data tracked 219,492 vehicles entering Wellington Park via Pinnacle Road during the 2024-2025 financial year.
“There’s got to be other accessible ways for people to access one of the most beautiful parts of our state. So I’m not against a cable car,” Hickey said.
She said any proposal would still need proper due diligence.
“I wouldn’t mind seeing if there was a business case and we could at least test it fully,” she said. “I believe there are dramas with wind.”
Hickey also took aim at the handling of major infrastructure decisions, comparing it unfavourably with the recent Macquarie Point stadium debate.
“If we’re going to have this conversation and everyone’s going to line up on different sides of the fence, let’s do it a bit more civilly and with a bit more common sense,” she said.
The cable car proposal was previously rejected by the Hobart City Council in 2021 and by the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal in 2022.
