Environmental considerations are "crucial" for the group planning a zipline for Oamaru Harbour, a spokesman for the project says.
A possible tourist attraction carrying thrillseekers over the cliff in the old quarry site on Cape Wanbrow has, since 2015, piqued local interest as a drawcard for visitors to Oamaru.
But the concept also concerned conservationists who have said it would endanger Oamaru’s birdlife and who last week said they were upset to hear the company formed to pursue a zipline in the harbour, Oamaru Adventure Park, expected to apply for consent for the project in the first quarter of this year. Despite informing the company last year of their concerns, conservation groups had yet to hear from Oamaru Adventure Park about their plans. But Select Contracts’ regional director, Darron Charity, on behalf of Oamaru Adventure Park, said the proposal was still in the "very early stages".
"Select Contracts is very mindful of any potential environmental and conservation impacts of a proposed new attraction and working through these is a crucial part of the process," he said in a written response to ODT questions.
"Once our own preliminary research is complete we will be able to accurately talk to any impact of the location and provide factual answers to the questions that stakeholders may have, and at that stage we will be undertaking a thorough consultation process."
Mr Charity said the group had held "preliminary discussions" with the harbour master and affected landowners.
"Those discussions, as well as our own initial investigations, have already allowed us to consider changes to the attraction design concept that was originally released. We believe these changes will greatly address some of the concerns that we are aware have been raised."
The Waitaki District Council’s 69-page November 2016 business case for the zipline, "Oamaru Adventure Park: Market Summary and Design" shows a route for the zipline that starts at the top of Cape Wanbrow and carries users down to land on the historic breakwater below.
The business case was developed for the council by Select Contracts.
Mr Charity said Oamaru Adventure Park would "work through mitigation strategies" throughout the development process "and we look forward to engaging with the many stakeholders to ensure that we get this right".
When the idea was first mooted by Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher he said the project would improve public access to the breakwater, and if the council "clipped the ticket", the funds it generated could be used to develop Cape Wanbrow as a recreation reserve.
