In November 2017, Zipline Australia got the green light from the Brisbane City Council to submit a development application for their project, with former Lord Mayor Graham Quirk enthusiastically supporting the tourism idea.
Mt Coot-tha Protection Alliance Inc, a community group of volunteers, formed in response to the zipline proposals.
The three-stage zipline proposed a 1.5 kilometre treetop canopy tour, the skywalk with a 335-metre suspension bridge near Slaughter Falls and the Megazipline with six parallel lines travelling more than a kilometre from in front of the summit lookout to the Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens.
The Mt Coot-tha zipline development was approved but was ultimately cancelled in 2019 because of considerable opposition from the community. A legal challenge was brought before the Planning & Environment Court by the Mt Coot-tha Protection Alliance Inc, leading the Council to withdraw its defence of the Development Application approval, which the court ultimately rejected. The proponents and Council later reached a confidential settlement.
A looming federal election with a local seat in jeopardy appears to have aided council to change Lord Mayors & withdraw from the legal challenge.
There was significant widespread public opposition to the project, driven by worries about its effects on the environment, wildlife habitats, and the overall character of the public park.