US-based chairlift designers investigated the technical feasibility of the gondola late last year.

Ms Helsper said the resulting report backed the project.

“It was a desktop study but it concluded that, from a technical point of view, the project is possible with little or no impact on the environment,” she said.

“The report says that from an ascent and descent point of view, the project is achievable.”

Ms Helsper said the report was the catalyst to the launch of the skyways website looking for further community input.

She said the website provided an overview of what the project was trying to achieve, also asking people to complete a short survey to gauge their support for the idea in principle.

“The project was identified as one that, if supported, could provide the region with an iconic tourism development,” she said.

“So, we would like to hear from people whether or not they support the idea in principle.

“We value people’s feedback, whether they want more information or have something to tell us that may not have been raised yet.”

Ms Helsper defended the brevity of the two-part, online survey.

“This is about getting in-principle support; at the moment we don’t have a lot of detail so we have tried to give some answers to common questions and asked people to say whether they support the idea,” she said.

“The internet gives us access to those outside the region, regular visitors from Melbourne, and the younger generation who are more comfortable with online mediums.

“We want to consult as widely as possible on this.”

Ms Helsper said the taskforce had already spoken to four community groups about the project.

“The support from within the community and from those sessions has been overwhelmingly positive,” she said.