JAC Group’s Josef Chromy and managing director Dean Cocker addressed aldermen on the approximately $8 million proposal at the Strategic Planning and Policy Committee meeting on Monday.

The JAC Group has proposed putting up $4 million, with the remainder to come from the council with possible federal government support – which could be sought in the lead-up to the next federal election.

‘‘One thing we believe is that Cataract Gorge and the Trevallyn Reserve suffers from is not having a direct link to the city,’’ Mr Cocker said.

‘‘While people can walk from King’s Bridge up to First Basin, that’s certainly not an option available to everybody, perhaps those that are not as healthy but who are also time poor, and many of our tourists are time poor and they’re looking to pack in as much as they can in a short time.’’

It has been proposed there would be four lots of four-to-six, wheelchair-accessible fixed gondolas continually moving around an 805-metre loop, leaving from Penny Royal.

Mr Cocker asked that the council open up discussion about the gondola proposal with that of the Gorge revitalisation plans.

He also proposed the development of a $2 million slip lane, off the West Tamar Highway, and 60-vehicle car park, that would allow for better access for visitors.

He believes the gondola ride could attract a minimum 50,000 additional visitors to the city and he was working with the same consultants behind the Cairns Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and the Taronga Zoo chairlift.

Meanwhile, work at the Penny Royal site continues and the company opened the tender process to operate a cafe, restaurant, wine bar and fish and chippery at the weekend.

Mr Cocker said he expected to have a builder ‘‘locked in’’ by the end of the month, to start work in March.

He said they hoped to open the site in November and once approval was granted for the gondola, it should be installed and operating in 12 months.