A City of Launceston councillor has spoken out against a new $20 million gondola project for Cataract Gorge at the first public meeting of a group formed in opposition to the proposal.
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Councillor Tim Walker addressed the crowd of approximately 150 on the First Basin lawn Sunday morning, speaking about the need to protect what was a "pristine place so close to a city centre" for both Tasmanians and tourists alike.
"This is just the low-hanging fruit for developers," Cr Walker said. "Tourists already come here. The gorge already punches way above its weight when it comes to attracting tourists to Launceston."
Cr Walker said as a councillor he was not supposed to have an opinion about development applications before the council but, as the proposal had not progressed to that stage, could say he was "against any private developments on public land and especially this public land, which belongs to everyone."
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"This is a like a mental health place for Launceston," he said. "This is where people come to relax, to wind down, to have time away from their busy lives. And they know that when they come here that they will get that."
"These developments will take that away from them. And it does belong to the people, it doesn't belong to the council. We need to really make that point very clear to every councillor."
Di Robinson, a Westbury resident who traveled for the meeting, echoed the sentiment, saying the gorge "[belonged] to all of us".
Jo Saunders, a co-president of the Hands Off Our Gorge group, noted a heritage report conducted for the project, available on its website, stated a risk the development could be overbearing.
Ms Saunders said a search of TripAdvisor suggested the site already had "great access" for those with prams, wheelchairs and mobility concerns, and attempts to sell the project on the issue were a "very flimsy Trojan horse".
Announced in late June by the owners of the existing chairlift, the Larter family, the project would feature 24 glass gondolas running on a triangular cableway route from a base above First Basin.
A spokesperson for the proponents said none had attended the meeting, so were unable to comment.
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Matt Dennien
Matt Dennien is a journalist at The Examiner, based in Launceston. Contact him via email at matt.dennien@examiner.com.au, or more securely via Signal on +61 437 672 994.
Matt Dennien is a journalist at The Examiner, based in Launceston. Contact him via email at matt.dennien@examiner.com.au, or more securely via Signal on +61 437 672 994.
