Vic: Arthur's Seat chairlift reopening on hold, says WorkCover

AAP General News (Australia)
12-12-2003
Vic: Arthur's Seat chairlift reopening on hold, says WorkCover

MELBOURNE, Dec 12 AAP - Plans to reopen the Arthur's Seat chairlift next week have
been shelved after WorkCover inspectors put a prohibition notice on the tourist attraction
south-east of Melbourne.

The Mornington Peninsula chairlift has been closed since it collapsed on January 3,
injuring 18 people and leaving 50 trapped in mid-air during a five hour rescue operation.

A WorkCover spokesman said two inspectors conducted tests at the site today and had
issued a prohibition notice after the renovated chairlift failed to meet testing standards.

The spokesman said he had no further information on how the chairlift had failed to measure up.

A message on the telephone answering service at the tourist attraction says the chairlift
will be reopening mid-December.

In October, owner Richard Hudson said the chairlift had passed all necessary approvals
and had a new public risk insurance policy.

Mr Hudson said it would be a "virtually" brand-new chairlift once completed.

He said the chairlift would be given much stronger replacement poles and a new cable.

Mr Hudson was not immediately available for comment.

AAP hmg/ce/cbs/jlw/

KEYWORD: CHAIRLIFT

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