But government ministers have said Bowen Peak Ltd’s ‘‘Powerhouse’’ project was exactly what the region needed to support its rapid growth.
The third iteration of the company’s fast-track referral application was accepted by Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop this month.
It proposed a three-stage aerial ropeway network, a 1333-apartment residential development known as ‘‘Fernhill Heights’’, a retail, hospitality and tourism precinct, predator-free sanctuaries, a mountain bike park and a skifield on Bowen Peak.
The company’s first application was returned as incomplete more than a year ago and its second was declined by Mr Bishop in August last year.
In its comments on the third application, the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) acknowledged the revised proposal contained positive elements.
However, ‘‘significant concerns’’ remained and there were ‘‘uncertainties in several critical areas’’.
The natural hazard assessment was preliminary in nature and did not meet the minimum level of investigation expected for a development of this scale and duration.
‘‘Uncertainty remains regarding landslide, rockfall, debris flow and slope instability exposure, particularly for the Fernhill Heights residential component, calling into question the feasibility of this development.’’
The council commissioned an independent review of the natural hazard assessment by WSP New Zealand.
Geotechnical engineer Rob Bond said the risk posed by natural hazards to the proposed development and adjoining land was considered ‘‘greater than low’’.
‘‘In terms of landslide hazards, we are of the opinion that sufficient information exists ... to determine that the Fernhill Heights development area is likely prone to landslide and future slope instability risk ...’’
Bowen Peak Ltd director Dr Guy Hingston, an Australian cancer surgeon, said yesterday he took public safety ‘‘very seriously’’.
‘‘We are very grateful to QLDC for their sterling review as they have given us a major push forward with their critique of our proposal.’’
The company had written to the council and hoped to hear back soon as to how they could continue to collaborate.
Several hundred hectares of wilding pines were spreading across Central Otago and above Queenstown, Dr Hingston said.
‘‘Hence like a careful cancer resection, and as per our online AI concept video, we plan to remove these pests a few hectares at a time, carefully and safely addressing the natural hazards present.
‘‘With appropriate expert advice and modern construction techniques, I’m looking forward to being able to safely live up above Fernhill with many hundreds of others.’’
Several cabinet ministers also commented on Bowen Peak Ltd’s referral application.
Associate Transport Minister James Meager said significant steps had been taken to improve the application and it had his support.
The project would supply needed housing stock in one of the fastest growing regions of New Zealand, provide greater access to world-class tourism offerings and support species such as kiwi, takahē and kākāpō through its multiple predator-free sanctuaries.
‘‘Projects like the Powerhouse Ropeway are exactly what Queenstown and Central Otago needs to support their rapid growth and capitalising on the South Island’s world class tourism offerings.’’
Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis said a development of this scale would have a substantial input into the regional economy in the short-term.
‘‘And if successful, this project could have significant ongoing contribution to the tourism industry and to visitor spend in the local economy.’’
