Queenstown gondola project off

Press, 12 June 1987, Page 5

Queenstown gondola project off

PA Dunedin A proppsed $4 million gondola cableway across Lake WakatipU' will not go ahead because of the effects it would have on public reserves in the area. . The Queenstown-Lakes District Council, giving its decision, on the project, said it would not allow further commercial use of public areas already sub- . ject to great pressure. .It was proposed Jhat the ’’rjcableway terminal .would

be placed in the Queenstown gardens and the Kel- < vin peninsula reserve, on part of the Kelvin Heights golf course. But the coun- : cil said the proposal could i have far-reaching effects i on public reserves, a point ’ which was raised in the ! Queenstown Golf Club’s submission. s The club felt the pro- I posal would inhibit con- < tinued development of the I course at Kelvin Heights i to national and inter- i national status. tti,,also < ppjnted,out,that, inqterms Jf , 1

of the club’s existing lease of the Kelvin Heights reserve, Hie developer, Mr Philip Phillips, would be unlikely to use that , land without consent' from' the leasee. The council was satisfied that this was so. “Queenstown is a tourist area and provision should be made for a wide variety of tourist attraction,”' the council’s decision said. But it added that under the Town and Country Planning Act, it had to. have regard to

matters of natural importance. ' This included the protection and enhancement of the physical environment, and the natural character of the lake margin. The council felt the proposal would be contrary to the public interest because of the way in which it would impact on the landscape, , particularly the Queenstown gar-dens-Frankton Arm and Kirvin Heights.