National Parks, Uncategorized
Council silence on Springbrook Cableway forces community action
Oct
Queensland community and conservation groups will today deliver 10 grounds for refusal of the Springbrook cableway to key decision makers after their concerns remain unanswered in the nine months since council voted to spend $500,000 to investigate the “de-risking” of a proposed cableway to Springbrook.
The new Respect Springbrook Mountain coalition has invited all key representatives to its inaugural event on Thursday 2 October 2 in Mudgeeraba, including Minister Murray Watt, Minister Powell and Mayor Tate. Representatives will be presented with a Statement of Reasons, highlighting 10 key concerns and grounds for refusal of the Springbrook cableway proposal.
“The coalition partners are seeking information about the proposed cableway and initiating public engagement in the silence from our local and state government,” Sara Hicks, Gecko Environment Council spokesperson said.
“Who are the mystery proponents? What does ‘de-risk‘ this project actually mean? Is it to bypass due process that is meant to protect community and National Parks like Springbrook?”
The issue is so important that thirteen statewide and local conservation and community groups have joined Respect Springbrook Mountain in a coalition that’s determined to respect and protect the natural values of Springbrook from the high impact cableway proposal.
Together the groups are concerned about environmental impact, bushfire, landslips, invasive species, unsustainable visitation, financial viability and public insurance and First Nations free prior and informed consent.
Queensland Conservation Council Protected Areas Campaigner Nicky Moffat said:
“We absolutely oppose any cableway that would damage or threaten the World Heritage values of Springbrook National park.”
“The Gold Coast City Council needs to either come clean to the public on their plans, or preferably to abandon this flawed project. The public still don’t have the details of the cableway, where it will go, or who the proponent is.”
National Parks Association of Queensland CEO Chris Thomas said:
“Tourism in protected areas will be hindered by an approach that takes shortcuts around necessary community consultation.
“We urge government to have a more considered approach and value the opinions and expertise of local residents, tour operators, conservationists, and the scientific community who all treasure this renowned world heritage area.”
Gecko Environment Council Campaign Coordinator Sara Hicks said:
“A cableway that installs massive steel pylons, landing stations and kilometers of cable across the top of world heritage listed rainforests, as well as transports more than 500,000 additional visitors to Springbrook, is not low impact or sustainable ecotourism.
“The recent works announced by the State Government to upgrade tourism facilities at Springbrook are welcomed by the coalition and will greatly enhance visitor knowledge, access and enjoyment of the World Heritage values of Springbrook National Park.”
Key grounds for refusal of Springbrook cableway, highlighted in the Statement of Reasons
- Unacceptable fire risk
- Pollution of water catchment from human waste
- Landslide vulnerability
- Impact on threatened species and habitats, including koalas
- Threat to the outstanding universal value of the World Heritage Area
- Incompatibility with Indigenous cultural heritage values
- Failure to obtain free, prior and informed consent from First Nations people and businesses
- Financial viability, insurance and public liability
- Stranded asset risk
- Alternatives not adequately explored
Join the coalition to prevent the Springbrook Cableway.
