The third iteration of Bowen Peak Ltd’s fast-track referral application for its proposed "Powerhouse" project — described as an integrated development including three aerial ropeways, 1333 residential units, predator-free sanctuaries and a skifield on Bowen Peak — was accepted by Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop last week.
The whole project has now been referred to the fast-track approvals process.
Bowen Peak Ltd director Dr Guy Hingston, an Australian cancer surgeon, said yesterday the company was excited by the referral.
The company had been motivated to keep applying because of a "lifelong desire to help others", Dr Hingston said.
"This is a very significant milestone for Bowen Peak Ltd.
"Ongoing feedback from mana whenua, ministers, councils, Doc [Department of Conservation] and community continues to help us refine our proposed integrated development."
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.
Both those failed applications proposed two funicular railway lines — cable-driven railways using counterbalanced cars on parallel tracks.
One line would run up Ben Lomond Saddle to a chairlift, skifield and mountain bike park, the other to a 1040-unit subdivision called "Fernhill Heights".
The company’s latest application retained most of the elements of the first two, but replaced the two railway lines with three contiguous aerial ropeways that extended from the reserve up to the western face of Bowen Peak.
A 10-seat gondola would run from a station in the reserve up to a new residential development on a 52ha, privately-owned site above Fernhill.
The new subdivision of Fernhill Heights would consist of 1333 residential apartments in 175 "alpine chalets", of which 5% would be given to the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust.
The third application also included a 290ha, fenced predator-free sanctuary in the One Mile Creek valley, a "small-scale" retail, hospitality and tourism precinct in One Mile Recreation Reserve and a walking and biking trail network.
In a statement, Bowen Peak Ltd said it was "very grateful" for Mr Bishop’s decision.
It planned to continue preparing the substantive application, with lodgement expected for later in the year.
"We remain hopeful that our plans will help many, many people into the future."
