Car park plans factor in gondola hearing

A major Queenstown development that will cost more than $100 million and take up to four years seems to hinge on a car park.

A hearing for Skyline Enterprises Ltd's direct referral to the Environment Court for resource consent to redevelop its gondola and associated facilities at Bob's Peak began in the resort yesterday before Judge John Hassan and commissioners Kate Wilkinson and Russell Howie.

However, much of the evidence focused on the company's plans to construct a five-level car park at the bottom of the terminal, with capacity for 350 car parks, which is outside the scope of the application before the court.

Counsel for Skyline Graeme Todd said there were several amendments to the proposal after resource consent was lodged. Of significance was a proposed condition requiring the establishment of a car parking facility before any consent granted could be given effect.

Essentially, Skyline would have to confirm the ability to lawfully establish and/or maintain at least 350 car parks and establish them before the redeveloped facilities were used.

Skyline had applied to the Queenstown Lakes District Council for a new lease for an extended area of land beside its existing staff car park, on which the new building was proposed.

The application had been accepted and Mr Todd understood public notification was imminent.

Skyline had also commissioned architects and consultants to prepare plans for the building. It was expected a non-complying resource consent application for that would be lodged no later than July 30 this year.

Architect Michael Wyatt told the court the proposed car parking building would be on five ``staggered'' levels - the upper level would not have a roof - at a height of 12.8m.

Mr Todd submitted the court could hear the application and issue its decision despite other matters, including the car park building, not yet being determined.

There was an 18-month lead-in time from the point the new gondola system was ordered until delivery. Skyline had deferred placing any order until the application was determined.

It would probably take between six and 18 months to obtain a lease and/or consent for the car parking facility and the proposed construction time frame was ``between three and four years''.

Planner Sean Dent said the recommended conditions could give the council assurance.

Should Skyline try to vary or delete the conditions relating to the car park, that would be a discretionary activity requiring public notification and would be ``unlikely to be approved''.

He believed there was ``no risk'' the development would proceed without the required car parks.

The hearing continues today.

tracey.roxburgh@odt.co.nz

 

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