A Queenstown resident has formed "an ad hoc group" to oppose an application by Brent and Shona Collins to establish a float plane operation in Queenstown Bay.
Last week the Otago Daily Times reported the proposal, which was first mooted two years ago, had been publicly notified.
Mr Collins, an agricultural pilot, formerly of Blenheim but living in South Africa, is seeking land use consent to establish the new tourism venture on Lake Wakatipu.
It would primarily take people on sightseeing trips from Queenstown to Glenorchy.
Operations would also include charter trips to Lakes Wanaka and Hawea.
The application proposed to base the operation at a floating pontoon on the Queenstown Gardens side of Queenstown Bay, using a water taxi system to shuttle passengers to and from the plane.
Take-off and landing areas would be located in the open waters of Lake Wakatipu.
A reserve runway would be located at Frankton Arm.
Mr Collins intended to usea de Havilland Beaver (DHC-2) with a three-bladed prop and/or a Cessna 206 (non-turbo)for the venture, which would operate up to 16 flights a dayin winter months and up to22 per day during summer months.
However, Panorama Tce resident Laurel Parent had since formed the "Opposition to Float Plane Runway in Queenstown Bay" group and was encouraging residents to make submissions on the proposal.
"This type of activity will seriously disrupt the peaceful Queenstown experience of residents and visitors alike," Ms Parent said.
"This operation will add to the already congested Queenstown Bay water-borne activities, increase noise and visual degradation and compromise the safety of kayakers, private boat owners and commercial operators.
"In addition, pedestrians, outdoor diners, beach goers and other waterfront users will be subjected to low-flying aircraft from 8.30am to 8pm every day [over summer]."
The former North American resident, who runs Creative Data, a marketing and communications business for the New Zealand IT industry, said she moved to Queenstown with her husband 10 years ago for the "tranquil environment", which would be impacted upon if consent was granted.
Submissions on the proposal close with Lakes Environmental on September 29.
