Tasmanian tourism leaders have called on the state and federal governments to revive the Cradle Mountain cableway project.
The proposed cableway remains in doubt after $30m of federal funding was withdrawn because the project had not progressed to the contract stage.
The cableway would link the Cradle Mountain visitor centre to Dove Lake, offering a new experience and allowing the tourism sector in the area to expand.
Retired ex-Cradle Coast Authority regional tourism manager Ian Waller said the cableway is an ‘essential project’ for the region at a meeting of tourism leaders in Devonport today.
“The cableway is a vital project for not just the region, but the entire State,” Waller said.
“This project has the potential to create a new experience that will take the region’s tourism sector to the next level.”
“The status quo is not an option. We need to do something to improve access to the Cradle Mountain area.”
He said the existing roads “aren’t fit-for-purpose” and leaders are concerned about the environmental impact of building more roads in the area.
“The cableway will create a light-touch solution that will help cater for existing and future visitor demand as well as create a new, unique experience in its own right.”
Waller urged the state government to finalise the business case so that the necessary funds could be sourced.
The Greens remain against the project, saying the project would detract from the national park.
“Tasmania’s wilderness is far too precious to be despoiled for profit, and surely now this horrendous project can be consigned to the dustbin where it belongs,” Greens Senator Nick McKim said in May.
“The project never stacked up, and never had a social license.”
“It was simply a pipe-dream of the develop-at-all-costs brigade, and a lazy attempt at pork barrelling. Its cheerleaders should be ashamed of themselves.”
