The commissioners granted a consent period of 10 years.
The decision not to proceed with construction comes at a time when some other developments in the district are slowing down, being offered for sale or being postponed.
Snowline spokesman Richard Hanson told the Otago Daily Times yesterday the company was "very, very pleased" commissioners David Collins and Gillian MacLeod had signed off the resource consent, describing it as "the fruit of many years' work".
The commissioners indicated at a hearing in October consent would be granted but the final conditions were not released until last Friday.
Copies have not yet been made available publicly but Mr Hanson and Upper Clutha Environmental Society (UCES) president Julian Haworth both confirmed the decision had been released.
Mr Hanson said the company could now "do a whole lot of things, even though we may have to wait a bit on the back of the economic climate".
There was a long wish list but a start date could not be given "until we know what's happening around the traps.
That's why we asked for a longer consent period."
The approved proposal is a scaled-back version of an earlier gondola system vigorously opposed by the UCES in 2006 because of the size of the base buildings and effects on the landscape.
Mr Haworth said yesterday the society was also pleased with the latest decision, particularly comments on precedents the larger base buildings could have set for other developments in the Matukituki Valley.
"At least it is only a transportation system that is going ahead. It is a significant win for us."
When asked what trends he had noticed with developments in the present economic climate, Mr Haworth said the slowdown seemed to be affecting a range of developments and not just those being undertaken by Snowline or associated companies.
"We [the society] haven't seen major subdivision proposal coming forward recently in the rural areas of the district, apart from the completely loopy plan change in Cardrona."
Both the Treble Cone and the earlier $14 million Snow Park gondola application by John and Mary Lee - also approved - would not be appealed despite his personal belief they had significant adverse environmental effects.
He felt the commissioners in both gondola cases were convinced by arguments about the economic benefits the projects would bring to Wanaka.
Evidence presented at the Snow Park gondola hearing said it could inject $16.5 million into the economy and create 48 jobs.
The Treble Cone application did not contain similar information, focusing instead on road safety issues as a core reason for a gondola.
It also stated both summer and winter tourist numbers would rise and vehicle operating costs would drop.
"I am not sure I agree [economic factors outweigh environmental factors]," Mr Haworth said.
