Ms BURNET – The Cradle Mountain cableway was originally costed at $60 million. It was later revealed when the business case for the cableway was released via RTI, that as of April 2023, the cost would be $190 million. You stated in the tourism committee that the state would contribute $30 million and you’ve requested an additional $30 million from the federal government. You also stated a new business case is being produced. Will this new business case be able to deliver a radically altered project, or will you be seeking private funding to cover the $130 million shortfall?
Mr ROCKLIFF – My advice is we’re updating the business case rather than doing a new one. It was comprehensive, the business case at the time. The Coordinator‑General will be joining us shortly and I’ve had quite some engagement with the Coordinator‑General on this project.
We committed $30 million, the federal government previously committed $30 million, if my memory serves me correctly, and they’ve withdrawn that. We’re trying, along with the tourism industry, particularly West by North West, which I sure appreciate, to get a further commitment of the $30 million back for the project. Notwithstanding that, we do need to find a reliable solution to the transport issue.
I do support a cableway, except the Greens probably don’t. That being said, a cableway is, in my view, the most environmentally sensitive way forward. All‑abilities access, an experience for visitors to Tasmania and Tasmanians alike. There are challenges with, if I recall correctly, widening roads for buses and to cater for increased numbers and those types of things. So, it is very challenging, I am still in favour of the cableway for the low impact that it provides.
The Coordinator‑General may well be able to update you on where the updated business case is at when he arrives around 17.30 today.
Ms BURNET – So, essentially, you can’t tell me where that $130 million shortfall might come from?
Mr ROCKLIFF – Not at this stage.
Ms BURNET – Will you take it on notice?
Mr ROCKLIFF – The business case will inform where the additional funds would come from. There may well be a rescoping. I don’t want to lead with my chin on this, except to say we’ve got to find a solution. There’s been considerable effort around the Cradle Mountain master plan.
Ms DOW – Taking a long time, the Cradle Mountain cableway.
Mr ROCKLIFF – What about the visitor centre? What about the Dove Lake viewing platform? That is huge achievements, which is fantastic. Everywhere around the state, we are getting the job done.
CHAIR – Mrs Pentland.
Ms BURNET – Sorry, I haven’t finished my second question. It’s just relating to –
Mrs PENTLAND – It is one of those questions.
Ms BURNET – On 17 September you clearly stated to Mrs Pentland that you would be open and transparent regarding the stadiums funding regardless of commercial‑in-confidence concerns in any public-private partnership. On the same principle, will we see the full unredacted revised business case for the Cradle Mountain cableway released?
Mr ROCKLIFF – I’ll take advice on that. There may be some commercial‑in-confidence matters on that. I would generally always start with the principle of being open and transparent, and informing the Tasmanian community. Mrs Pentland asked me the question last week. I cannot remember if that was before the Project of State Significance submission.
Mrs PENTLAND – It was, yes.
Mr ROCKLIFF – You could not be more transparent about the stadium if you tried, I don’t reckon. We’ve got 4000 pages out there that your team, the volunteers, no doubt, Ms Burnet and your hard‑working team behind you have been trawling those 4000 pages and looking for every little thing you can get me on in terms of the stadium, I’m sure. Certainly, this has been scrutinised and scrutinised and scrutinised, and will be scrutinised right until the time the doors are opened. All the people criticising it will be marching through the doors –
A member – Applauding?
Mr ROCKLIFF – Absolutely convinced of that.
