Thunder Jet's renewed bid to operate a commercial sightseeing operation on the Kawarau River will be heard by independent commissioners next week.
Queenstown Water Taxis Ltd, trading as Thunder Jet, applied for resource consent to operate one jet-boat, seating up to 19 people, including the driver, from the Kawarau Falls Bridge downstream about 14km to the confluence of the Arrow River.
The one-hour trips were proposed to operate on demand between 8am and 8pm daily during the summer and 9.30am to 4.30pm during the winter.
Thunder Jet stopped taking passengers for rides on the river in March when a judicial review found that its commercial rival, Kawarau Jet, should have been consulted about its application to run trips on the river.
Justice Christine French said Kawarau Jet should have been notified, as an affected party, before the Queenstown Lakes District Council granted Thunder Jet resource consent to operate commercially on the river.
Reassessment of the application was publicly notified on March 25.
Lakes Environmental received 35 submissions before the closing date of April 24.
A total of 24 submissions were in support, seven opposed, one in conditional or partial support and three neutral.
Kawarau Jet opposed because it believed Queenstown Water Taxis failed to adequately assess the effects of the proposed thrill rides on the environment, amenity and existing commercial operations.
Remarkables Park Ltd opposed on safety grounds, adverse effects and because the applicant did not promote sustainable or integrated management.
Submissions in support encouraged competition and noted Thunder Jet's experience and obedience of Maritime New Zealand rules.
Supporters stated more operators on the river would enhance safety and recalled that 11 consents and 21 boats operated on the river in the 1980s.
The river was large enough to accommodate multiple activities, supporters submitted.
Commissioners John Matthews and Leigh Overton will chair the hearing in the Crowne Plaza Queenstown hotel from 10am, on Monday, July 6 to Wednesday, July 8.
