A DUP councillor has called for an investigation into “wasted” ratepayers’ money on the failed Mourne Mountain Gateway project amid concerns the public is being kept in the dark.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s audit committee was provided with updated reports on the £44m gondola ride this week.
However, the chamber was criticised for not disclosing a “six figure” sum of money to the public as the local authority CEO countered governance concerns, saying it would be “unfair” to point the finger of blame.
Elected member for Rowallane Callum Bowsie said: “Why is the update on the Mourne Mountain Gateway project being held in confidential session.
“You could technically put absolutely everything discussed in the entire council into closed session under this confidential rule, it is unacceptable.
“I have asked for legal advice on this from April (2025) and have still not received any on this matter. Can I ask for clarity if the final amount of the Mourne Mountain Gateway project is going to be a figure that is made public?”
The major tourism plan faced opposition from the Alliance party “particularly regarding financial expenditures and environmental impact” according to a previous statement from Mournes councillor Jill Truesdale.
However, in May 2025, the controversial Mourne Gateway project, was put to an end after the National Trust landowners of the site announced that it would not allow for its land at Thomas’s Quarry to be used for the gondola and visitor station.
The National Trust had cited environmental impact concerns.
This week’s audit committee on Thursday held the total spend figures of the project in confidential session away from public view as well as 17 other items from its agenda.
Councillor Bowsie added: “We now know the figure of what was spent on the failed Mourne Mountain Gateway project, but the public can’t know that figure just yet.
“It is safe to say that it is a substantial amount of money and the vast majority of that is council expense. So, who does senior management think should be held responsible for that amount of ratepayers’ money being wasted?
“The National Trust, the Alliance Party, the council or all of the above?”
The Mourne Mountain project was supported by £30m through the Belfast Region City Deal (BRCD) with the rest from the council, including any other costs.
A council proposal was later made to move the controversial gondola part of the project to the far side of the Co Down mountain range and set it up in Rostrevor at Kilbroney Forest Park.
But, DAERA Minister Andrew Muir said he had “serious concerns about the potential impact the project would have on environmentally sensitive areas”.
Councillor Bowsie said: “In no other walk of life is that amount of money of six figures wasted and it is just simply noted on an audit paper, but who will be held responsible?
“Personally I would put the blame on all three, but perhaps not in equal proportion. Alliance will do what they do and jump on the inward investment bandwagon one day and environmentalist one the next day, depending on what is popular at the time.
“The National Trust, well I put my comments to them in this chamber some months ago on what they did was unacceptable in ripping up the memorandum of understanding, but at the end of the day they didn’t break any legal contract.
“So, the question has to be asked of this council, how can that amount of money be spent and it was still only a ‘maybe’ from the National Trust? And at the flick of a switch they turn their ‘maybe’ to a ‘no’.
“I would not be doing my job as a councillor on the audit committee if I didn’t ask how that amount of money gets spent without any legal guarantees.
“I think there needs to be some sort of investigation as to how we spent that amount of money.”
In a momentary absence of the CEO from the chamber, a council officer asked for the matter to be deferred.
Independent chairperson Brona Slevin said “I think that is a wise move.”
Mournes Alliance councillor Jill Truesdale said: “This is extremely unprofessional to come out with something like that in the middle of a committee.
“I have had no correspondence from Councillor Bowsie or the DUP, if they have contacted Alliance HQ, I have no idea. But, if he wants to have a meeting to address concerns he has, we are more than happy.
“Also, we don’t do bandwagons, I have no idea what he is speaking about.”
Newry SDLP councillor Pete Byrne added: “The role of the audit committee is around proper governance of decisions made.
“Officers followed the direction of council and the council voted in a certain direction based on information we were given. I don’t think this matter needs to be tabled here.”
A council officer said: “For the last statement of 2025/26 the figure will be reflected and that is a public document.”
On her return to the chamber, CEO Marie Ward responded: “I can assure that the legal advice on behalf of the council will be provided at the next SPR committee. In relation to the Mourne Mountain Gateway project, I don’t think there is any blame to be apportioned on any of this.
“It is very clear that all governance processes have been followed. The project had been considered by council over a number of years.
“The funding through the BRCD enabled delivery as a result of the appropriate governance procedures were put in place including the programme board and support of the relevant statutory committees. It also included reviews by government departments as well. So, there has been significant governance around this.”
She added: “The risk has always been associated around the land ownership and the National Trust and that was always very clear and considered in some detail.
“The matter has also been considered by the Department of the Economy and the Department of Finance and no issues have been raised. So, it would be rather inappropriate and unfair to look towards who is to blame.
“Unfortunately, this is a project that due to concerns of the landlower has fallen, but we are proceeding onwards with delivery of the project through the BRCD development. And that is all I have to say on the matter.”
