“Not a theme park”: Indigenous figures blast Mount Wellington zip-line proposal

Callan Morse
Callan Morse Published February 6, 2025 at 3.30pm (AWST)

A proposed open zip-line project on Hobart's Mount Wellington has received staunch opposition from Indigenous and political groups.

Lodged by tourism entrepreneur TAZZIP, the proposal which seeks to construct a 1,300 metre long zip-line on the mountain is currently before the City of Hobart.

Strongly opposed to the project, Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre campaign coordinator, Nala Mansell said Mount Wellington, known by some Aboriginal people as Kunanyi, should not be treated as an "adventure park".

"Once again, private developers seek to exploit our sacred sites, and once again, we are forced to fight for their protection," Ms Mansell told the ABC.

"Kunanyi is not an adventure park — it is a sacred place, and we will not allow it to be disrespected for commercial gain.

"We are sick and tired of having to defend our land every time a private developer decides to prioritise profit over the natural and cultural beauty of Kunanyi."

Including a 25-metre launch tower and 19-metre viewing platform, the proposed zip-line would run from The Springs located partway up Mount Wellington to a platform near Strickland Avenue in South Hobart.

The Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania (ALCT) has also voiced their opposition to the zip-line, which was first proposed in 2023.

"Aboriginal people will be disappointed and dismayed that a place as special as kunanyi is where someone would propose a tourism gimmick like a zip-line," ALCT manager Rebecca Digney told the ABC in June, 2023.

"Kunanyi is a living cultural landscape, not a theme park."

Greens MP Vica Bayley and Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre campaign coordinator Nala Mansell say the proposed zip-line would damage the cultural landscape of Mount Wellington. (Image: Chris Kidd)

The attraction has been touted by TAZZIP director Shane Abel as the "longest, fastest, highest zip-line in Asia-Pacific," with plans indicating an expected 12-24 people per hour would ride the proposed attraction from 8:30am-4:30pm.

Conveying their opposition to the project this week, the Greens said the zip-line proposal was "an insult to an icon".

"The Aboriginal community is on the record rejecting this proposal and, following the controversy of the cable car, we know many locals will be similarly opposed," Greens MP Vica Bayley said in a statement.

"Kunanyi is a living Aboriginal cultural landscape and precious local reserve for recreation and solace, not a theme park."

The zip-line proposal suggests participants would reach speeds of up to 100km/h on the 80 second ride, with the public able to access the viewing platform to "enjoy the vistas, whether they are zipping or not".

"Zip-line riders will be met at the new Halls Saddle car park at Ridgeway where they will be provided equipment before they board a mini-bus and be driven to The Springs in around 10 minutes," the plans said.

"After a short briefing, the zip-line riders will be geared up with harnesses and trolleys, helmets and glasses and then ascend the spiral staircase to a point 21.5m above the ground.

"The tower will provide fantastic views of the City, Storm Bay and Bruny Island."

Tasmanian Minister for Business, Industry and Resources, Eric Abetz, said the government was eager to progress "the comprehensive, holistic strategic review of Kunanyi/Mt Wellington and developing a shared community vision".

"The review has provided an opportunity for the community to have their say, and we are now considering responses to inform this vision," Mr Abetz said.

Members of the public are able to provide feedback on the zip-line proposal until February 19.

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National Indigenous Times

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