02/11/2021
Mt Roland Cableway - Announcement
It’s been some time since we last provided the community with an update. Much has happened since that time, including progress on our project and the advent of a global pandemic.
The guiding principles of our project have always been community focused. The Late Brian Inder’s core vision was to create an attraction that boosted local employment and reduced the seasonality of jobs relying partly or solely on tourism.
We’re pleased to report we’ve made welcome progress on the project’s merits and viability, as well as achieving a good understanding with Government on the framework of terms and conditions likely to apply. However, the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic has introduced significant challenges. The nature of a disease that cannot be seen or easily fought, with no predictable end in sight, is unlike any other business interruption event that could have been anticipated or tested for in project forecasting. Whatever your view of the pandemic response, the border closures, lockdowns, health orders and temporary regulations to combat the spread and effects of the disease impact directly on the predictability of visitor numbers, supply chains and logistics relevant to the project in a profound way.
Rather than wait an indeterminable time for the pandemic and its effects to abate, the committee has resolved to discontinue the project. Whilst the decision creates an immense sense of loss for all of us, for all the work, time and money invested, it frees each of us up to pursue opportunities offering more certainty in each of our own current phases of life and within the community.
The project has been an incredibly useful and rewarding exercise. It has answered a long-asked question on viability (yes) and evidenced strong community support for the right project. Town Hall and public discourse has been respectful, focused on facts and persuaded minds. We’re grateful to be able to say this is representative of our wider experience throughout the project.
Notwithstanding our decision to discontinue, we remain confident that one day, someone will build Brian’s dream, or something quite like it. It’s just a question of when and who. Brian Inder was a visionary, a strong willed and remarkable character, a force of nature and ahead of his time. On our behalf and in memory of Brian, we thank everyone in the community who have provided suggestions, advocacy, technical support, and respectful contributions to robust public discourse. Without all of you we could not have developed and progressed Brian’s vision to the extent we have. We hope whoever takes up the baton of Brian’s dream in the future is met with the same, enthusiasm, support, and respect as we have.
