Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner will protect Mt Coot-tha as a greenspace for future generations by terminating the Mt Coot-tha Zipline project.
In his first week as Lord Mayor, Cr Schrinner sought an urgent briefing from the Council CEO to understand more about the project that is under appeal in the Planning and Environment Court.
“I’ve listened to residents from across Brisbane, together with strong advocacy from local councillors, and it’s clear that protecting Mt Coot-tha is something we can all agree on,” he said.
“Mt Coot-tha is a place for everyone where people can connect with our clean and green city and I want to make sure it’s protected and remains a great asset for the city – that’s my priority going forward.
“Keeping Brisbane clean and green is all about making our city liveable and sustainable for our children and future generations.
“It’s natural that people want to see Mt Coot-tha protected and preserved and that’s something I support too – I never want to do anything to hurt Mt Coot-tha.
“Since becoming Lord Mayor, I’ve read many of the submissions and received a briefing from the CEO that shows Council’s initial $1 million investment in this project could double as a result of legal fees from the court appeal.
“Council has advised Zipline Australia that we will be withdrawing our support for the project including any objection to the legal appeal before the Planning and Environment Court.
“I’ve made it clear that I am going to be a champion for our precious green spaces and this is proof that I’m 100 per cent serious.”
The three stage zipline proposed a 1.5 kilometre treetop canopy tour, the skywalk with a 335 metre suspension bridge and the scenic zipline tour with six parallel lines travelling more than a kilometre from the summit’s lookout to the Botanic Gardens.
Council has already paid $300,000 of a planned $1 million contribution to the project contractor Zipline Australia and the balance would be directed towards other improvements for Mt Coot-tha such as upgrades to picnic facilities and walking trails.
Cr Schrinner said he supported adventure tourism attractions such as a zipline but not at Mt Coot-tha.
“The Star Entertainment Group have plans to build a zipline across the Brisbane River from the Queen’s Wharf project to South Bank and that’s a proposal I’d be keen to have a ride on,” he said.
“I’m up for bungy-jumping, I’d go on a zipline, I’d go abseiling – these are the sorts of things I’d be up for but not at Mt Coot-tha.”