Mt Roland Development Public Meeting tomorrow (12/4)

[Drifting]

Hi all- the Mt Roland development committee is having a public meeting tomorrow at 7pm in Sheffield at the town hall to discuss the results of a recent survey about developing Roland.

I have noticed that one local businessman, also a councillor, has posted a rather slanted view of the bushwalking community's opinions on this issue. Something along the line of it being our opinion that it should be locked up for the physically fit. He is also the one pushing it.

Anyhow- I'll be going to vent my spleen. Hope to see some of yall there!

Cheers! (The Angry, Loud-Mouthed Yank- for those who wish to recognize me tomorrow. It's ain't hard...)

[ILUVSWTAS]

Give em hell Drifting!!

Good luck, wish I could be there

[Drifting]

I'll post info I collect on here, and contact info for those whom you should speak to.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Sounds good. I'd happily voice my opinion through an email or sign a petition or something....

[ollster]

I have noticed that one local businessman, also a councillor, has posted a rather slanted view of the bushwalking community's opinions on this issue. Something along the line of it being our opinion that it should be locked up for the physically fit. He is also the one pushing it.

That's a rather cheap shot really, isn't it. Using equity of access to push his fat cat political barrow. I wish thee good luck.

[Drifting]

Well I'm a fat bushwalker with a gimpy leg- so it sort of discredits his argument LOL

[taswegian]

I guess 'bushwalking' for whatever that conjures up in peoples minds is often a much maligned pastime and grossly misunderstood.
And those who don't have any inkling of an idea what its about or just doesn't give a toss would equally not be concerned that its something that can only be understood by those willing to make a choice and give it a crack, gimpy leg (or whatever else ails us) and all.
It will be an interesting meeting no doubt.

I know the brief said certain (named) parties will be included in discussions. To date I know that has NOT happened. Not sure what if anything that means.

[johnw]

Sounds good. I'd happily voice my opinion through an email or sign a petition or something....

+1. I mailed off a response to the survey several weeks ago so would be interested to hear the outcome. Best of luck with it Drifting.

[Drifting]

I'm pretty busy at the moment, but I might try to develop an informational website- something that would allow for free expression of opinion, presentation and discussion of facts, and so on. There was been only very limited public discussion on this one, and the economic as well as conservation impact of the project, if it went ahead, could be really bad. Who's going to own it? If it's the rate payers of Kentish, are we going to be expected to maintain it if it's a loss, which it will be?

I still reckon it'd never get ufnding. The guy who is pushing it seems to think the project would get international, merchant bank funding. But if Gunn's can't get up a mill, I don't see it happening.

We might need a grassroots opposition to it, something to let any investor daft enough to go for it know that there is not universal support.

[ILUVSWTAS]

I still reckon it'd never get ufnding. The guy who is pushing it seems to think the project would get international, merchant bank funding. But if Gunn's can't get up a mill, I don't see it happening.

Agreed. I suspect the Gov. would want on on Wellington before they put one up there, not a nth VS sth dig here,I just suspect Hob gets more tourists, and it'd be more likely to succeed than on Mt Roland.

[Phil]

I have noticed that one local businessman, also a councillor, has posted a rather slanted view of the bushwalking community's opinions on this issue. Something along the line of it being our opinion that it should be locked up for the physically fit.

For the physically fit hey? So what's that? My mate's 5 year old daughter managed to summit Roland with a large group of us a couple of years back!

[Drifting]

OK- here's the report:

Around 90 people were there tonight. Here's the info I got:

The UTAS people who are doing the development study reported the following:

145 people responded to the mail-out survey form that has been discussed on this forum.

This is from their materials (material in italics is direct copy):

"The primary value expressed expressed related to the majestic and mysterious nature of Mt Roland-- the community's 'spiritual rock'-- and the unspoiled wilderness in the surrounding area.

Development options most supported are:

-wildlife experiences at the foot of Mt Roland
-Walking track from Union Bridge to Minnow Falls
-Mt Roland-Cradle Mtn walking track
-Mt Roland-Walls of Jerusalem walking track
-Gowrie Park as a tourist hub."

(My notes- the speaker emphasized the strong support for all three walking track options)

The speaker then went on to say that the following were the business and tourism community's primary interests:

-Improved walks
-Shorter tracks
-Varied activities in association with the mountain
-improved road signage and maintenance
-improved access to the top of the mountain (I asked what this meant, but the UTAS people could not or would not be specific)

When put to a show of hands, 28 people in the group were for a cable car, and 39 were opposed. Obviously a LOT of passion of all sides.

One possibility that was put forward was forming a bushwalking club that could take part in track maintenance.

I've got a lot of other information, if you want to know.

And yes, I was a loud-mouthed Yank. I even got told "We've already heard form you a couple of times..." by the UTAS lady.

UTAS wants more submissions and ideas, and were actively asking for them. The person to contact is leonardf@utas.edu.au

[taswegian]

now c'mon thats not all. There was a bun fight after too.
Actually you were quite reserved.
It was a well managed (no vitreol) meeting and there is as Drifting said still opportunity to have a say.

It was quite clear that a cable car is an imperative.
It was also obvious its all about making a buck and for me!! As in ME and that means it has to be good for the community.

It didn't convince me.

[Drifting]

Taswegian- I just wanted to see what the go was. I have not yet begun to fight, as one Winston sort of said.

What happened afterwards? You should have said hi- but I scooted out quick- I didn't want to get into the bun fight.

Did it get nasty?

[taswegian]

No nothing like that - very good actually.
'Bun fight' = anything from 'Tea and scones' to whatever 'grub', 'tucker' (food) they put on.
Sorry just my local colloquialism.

I got talking to a local who was dead against anything that 'prostitues the mountain' as one bloke put it to the floor.
Then I shared some time with one who was all for the cable car and even bought some photos of one in NZ along.

We'll catchup sometime.

[Drifting]

that'd be nice! It was very civilized, I thought.

[Clownfish]

Well I'm a fat bushwalker with a gimpy leg

Glad I'm not alone

[Dave-1]

Yep folks I'm also a fat bushwalker with a few gimpy bits.I'll state right now I want this cable car to happen along with a few other ideas. This local businessman, a self made man still going strong at about 80 years old. Hope Ive done as much for this community and have half his foresite by the time I get to his age.
A little quiz for yous all, how many waterfalls on the flanks of the mountian?
Wacko the diddlio Just keep walking

[ILUVSWTAS]

I have a few questions for you ... Dave....
How much will it cost to run and maintain this cable car every year??
Now how many days of the year will it be sitting there empty with no passengers?

Unable to run due to weather?
How busy is Sheffield with tourist between April and November??

[doogs]

The only cable car I can judge this development against is Aonach Mor in Scotland. This services the Nevis range ski area through winter. Then tourists and a world class downhill mountain bike track in the warmer months. Even with year round usage the company struggled when I lived there.
As I have said before on this forum, if this development was to go ahead it would be far more suited to the north end of the ben lomond plateau. Mount roland has no development on it and for future generations let's keep it that way, we are trashing the world as it is.

[taswegian]

doogs I agree with your sentiments.

One thing that always gets bought up in ANY discussion to do with development. So And So (place) has them so why not us.
EG Cable cars in Europe. Never been there but what do they service?
Just 'joy rides' for casual tourists? Or are the majority multifunctional and serve skiiers in winter?
Can the actually operate in winter?
I accept there are no doubt times when nothing can operate (including us!) in times of extreme weather.

Another question: re Mt Wellingtom Trust http://www.wellingtonpark.org.au/
I thought I heard on news this morning they are asking for input in its ongoing management. Just caught tail end and maybe somewhere else.
I haven't studied that web site but it makes me think of Roland.
I see Wellington is covered by an Act http://www.thelaw.tas.gov.au/tocview/index.w3p;cond=all;doc_id=59%2B%2B1993%2BAT%40EN%2B20091009000000;histon=;prompt=;rec=;term=wellington%20park%20act
Wonder how a similar would work for Roland includind Vandyke, Claude, Round Mt, Brazen Nose?

This (the 'Roland Precinct Study') will no doubt get more attention here in Kentish and I would like to see what options there are out there in Tasy that are well managed now.
It might be tough times (depends on who you talk to) now but that won't last for ever and there is time for careful planning to be happening along the way.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Is Roland managed by anyone?

What's a Tasy??

[doogs]

I think roland is in a local council reserve?

[taswegian]

My wife picked me up on that - Tassie abbreviated.
She said it was a rude word - never heard that but stand correcting.
better not abbreviate too much in future.

(Təsi (also, Tasy and Tesi) is a village and municipality in the Gobustan Rayon of Azerbaijan

oh and its a Dog
The Tasy should have a human companion who can appreciate his traits, strong will, and life-sacrificing
courage.
That sounds more applicable to Roland - 'a human companion who can appreciate...'

As to who manages.
I don't think it is in reality (as in serious stuff - $$$) but it is a Parks domain.
Someone from there may put 2 bobs worth in.

[Drifting]

People here keep comparing it to the Kuranda chairlift, which I understand looses money hand over fist. It's being sold on several levels, one that it will attact tourists, and the other than it will allow older members of the community to still go to the top.

Of course, no one mentions what the fares would be.

One life-long resident of West Kentish assures me that the project would never get finance, and I completely believe this, but even if the council got permission to develop the mountain and failed to find someone to do it, the can of worms would be opened.

On the otherhand, people need to push for a hiking trail extension. This is a BIG opportunity for all of us.

[ILUVSWTAS]

Lol, Thanks for the clarification Tasweigan.... It's always been Tassie to me.

And thanks for the info about the park. I wondered who currently maintains the tracks up there as they are top notch.

I agree I doubt the state would ever be foolish enough to fund a project like a cable car, especially on a mtn in a location with a small population like Roland.

Im not so sure about more walking tracks, I'd LOVE to see it dont get me wrong, but my worries are that tracks like the Penguin to Cradle are already falling into disrepair as no-one is maintaining them. Who would be responsible for the maintenance of another massive walking track like the proposed ones??

Let's look after (or at least TRY) the ones we already have before building more!!

[johnw]

Mt Roland Conservation Area (only 319 ha?) http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=5730

Mt Roland Regional Reserve (7,145 ha) appears to come under this classification http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?base=5738 which seems to be trying to be all things to all people

The List shows the area as both Crown Land and Proposed Mount Roland Protected Area

[vagrom]

Hasn't Mt Roland had a fairly dedicated Friends Group attached to it for some years? Can't see anything on the web about it at the moment, unless i've missed one of those links.
The track was done up nicely, especially the entry, to make it more family friendly and it's consequently been on the Tassie wide list of Short Walks for some years.

[tastrax]

Here is a quick explanation of what Regional Reserve and other classifications actually means...

http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/index.aspx?id=5738

http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/inter,nsf/We ... REUHS?open

[tastrax]

There also used to be group called "Outlook Mt Roland" and I think even further back a "Friends of Mt Roland" Wildcare group. Not sure if either are still in existence.