Gondola would cause ‘little disruption’

Press, 29 January 1986, Page 9

Gondola would cause ‘little disruption’

The proposed Port Hills gondola project would cause little social or environmental disruption, said Mr Peter Yeoman, one of the project’s promoters, last evening. Mr Yeoman told a public meeting at Heathcote that a social impact study of the project was being prepared, which would look at botanic, geological, landscape, noise and traffic factors.

More than 220 people jammed into the Heathcote Community Centre to hear Mr Yeoman describe the gondola project, and to question him about its effects. The majority appeared to oppose the project.

The project would include a tourist gondola from the Heathcote tunnel portal to the top of Mount Cavendish or to a point 50 metres below the summit.

Both routes would include a restaurant Two bobsleigh runs and an artificial ski slope would be built on land facing the Lyttelton Road ttinnel buildings. Many local residents are worried about a possible increase in noise and traffic, and fear that the quiet and historic atmosphere of Heathcote could be destroyed. One man said that tourists would prefer to see the “real New Zealand” and not “a Disneyland for larrikins.” Mr Yeoman said that traffic on Bridle Path Road would increase as a result of the project, but only 33 per cent on peak days, and by 25 per cent in mid-week. Roads would not need to be widened, and although a car park for 200 vehicles would be built, this would be screened as much as possible.

He said that noise from the project’s construction would be far less than when the Lyttelton Tunnel

was built It would not be much more than the noise of one or two houses being built he said.

Mr Yeoman said the gondola would be driven by electric motors, and neither the bobsleigh runs nor the artificial ski slope would encourage yelling and screaming. He repeated earlier arguments that Christchurch needed attractions which would make tourists stay in the city. If the gondola project could increase the number of tourist bed nights in Christchurch just 5 per cent, an additional $3 million in overseas income would be earned and another 300 jobs created.

“We have something there that with proper controls can be fitted in to your environment for the benefit of Christchurch as a whole,” he said. Mr Yeoman told the meeting that the planning approval procedures were protracted, and would give residents ample opportunities to voice their objections.