THE owner of the old Launceston Hydro substation – set to feature in a national television series – is angered about the council’s consultation process on Cataract Gorge that may include a gondola.
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Mark Bartkevicius bought the 1922 substation that borders the Gorge in West Launceston in 2013 and expects to be living at the property in about six weeks.
However, he believes a proposed Skylift gondola by the JAC Group would travel within metres of the boundary of his property and provide an expected 50,000 tourists with a perfect view into his yard and house.
The property is soon to feature on the Australian series of Grand Designs.
Launceston City Council general manger Robert Dobrzynski rejected any perceived wrongdoing and said the council had ‘‘neither considered nor discussed the proposed Skylift’’.
Mr Bartkevicius is angry the council’s consultation process of the Reimagining the Cataract Gorge Project includes an online survey with a question about the gondola.
He has interpreted this to mean the council is seeking support on the idea, instead of going through a proper public consultation process.
Besides gawking tourists, Mr Bartkevicius said the proposal would cause a number of other issues for him, such as impacting on building and fire permits and insurance.
Mr Bartkevicius also denied ever receiving a letter from the council seeking comment about the project.
He thinks the council should organise a meeting for all residents that may be impacted by the proposal.
A meeting with him, Mr Dobrzynski, Mayor Albert van Zetten and Alderman Hugh McKenzie was granted yesterday.
Mr Dobrzynski said the council was simply seeking the community’s views.
‘‘We believe it’s sound practice to include all considerations or proposals that are currently on the table in our draft strategic plans for public comment, so that those strategic plans cater for the sorts of issues that are likely to emerge in the future,’’ Mr Dobrzynski said.
‘‘This does not mean the council is supportive of any particular proposal, but it will allow us to ascertain the broader public’s views before we actually consider any formal proposals in the future.’’
JAC Group managing director Dean Cocker said he understood there were some people who did not want the gondola to go ahead but they also did not want the council to seek community input.
‘‘Because these people don’t want it to go ahead, full stop,’’ Mr Cocker said.
The council survey at www.yourvoiceyourlaunceston.
com.au will be open until Friday, March 6.
