Bungling council scraps controversial zip-line after spending almost $400,000 of ratepayers’ money planning and promoting the project
- A council has scrapped a controversial zip-line project after spending $300,000
- Brisbane City Council announced on Friday they had removed their support
- The Zipline project, announced in November 2017, was to be built at Mt Coot-tha
- Council said they listened to feedback and were focused on protecting the space
A council has scrapped a controversial zip-line after spending almost $400,000 of taxpayers money planning and promoting the project.
Brisbane City Council announced on Friday they had removed their support for the project after listening to community feedback.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the cancellation of the zip-line project, which was to be built at Mt Coot-tha, would protect the green space for future.
A council has scrapped a controversial zip-line after spending $300,000 of taxpayers’ money promoting the project
Brisbane City Council announced on Friday they had removed their support for the project after listening to community feedback
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the cancellation of the zip-line project, which was to be built at Mt Coot-tha, would protect the green space for future
‘We will be withdrawing our support for the zip-line project,’ said Cllr Schrinner.
‘This project is dead and buried. This is all about ensuring that this green icon is protected for the future.’
The zip-line project was promoted as an asset to increase tourism and economic growth in the area.
‘Zipline Australia is proposing a world class ecotourism experience that will ultimately serve to protect the environment and be sympathetic to existing users,’ Zipline Australia said in its promotion of the project.
‘It will celebrate the region’s rich cultural heritage, abundant wildlife, diverse bush landscape, and offer great recreational and educational potential for all visitors.’
The council admitted to paying Zipline Australia $300,000 for the contract, as well as an additional $78,000 for promotional materials such as flyers, Nine News reported.
The zip-line project was promoted as an asset to increase tourism and economic growth in the area
A promotional video was also launched by council on March 17.
But a month later, the council back flipped on the project and announced its cancellation.
‘Following a careful review of the project and having listened to the concerns raised by areas of the community, Council will no longer be progressing with the zipline proposal for Mt Coot-tha,’ the Council wrote on Friday.
‘Council is committed to protecting Mt Coot-tha and is investing in Mt Coot-tha to create a green leisure precinct, including upgraded picnic areas, new and upgraded walking tracks and more trees.
The three-stage zip-line proposal included a 1.4 kilometre zip-line, Australia’s longest treetop canopy tour and a skywalk with a 335-metre suspension bridge
‘Council will reinvest money allocated for zipline as part of the overarching $14.8 million investment back to other Mt Coot-tha updates, such as walking tracks.’
Zipline Australia received approval from the council to lodge a development application for the project in November 2017.
The three-stage zip-line proposal included a 1.4 kilometre zip-line, Australia’s longest treetop canopy tour and a skywalk with a 335-metre suspension bridge.