New rules could end Milford gondola plan

The controversial Queenstown-Milford gondola proposal could be derailed within six weeks if its backers are declined permission to build an "amenity area", says the Department of Conservation.

Skyline Enterprises announced plans in March last year for a $100 million gondola cableway from the head of Lake Wakatipu to Lake Gunn, alongside the Milford Road.

It is working on the project with Ngai Tahu Developments under the name Skytrail.

Last week the Conservation Authority released its new policies for national parks, which include tighter rules on gondolas, only allowing them in amenity areas.

DoC Southland spokesman Martin Rodd said Ngai Tahu had applied for an amenity area and DoC was likely to make a decision on it within six weeks.

However, he said, granting an amenity area in Fiordland would be a major change and would represent a "very permissive" move in favour of development within the park.

Declining Ngai Tahu an amenity area would preclude the gondola development from going ahead.

Earlier this year, Ngai Tahu objected to a clause in the draft national park rules specifically banning gondolas in national parks and forced a change in wording.

Skytrail spokesman Adrian Januszkiewicz refused to comment on the effect the refusal of an amenity area would have on the development.

- NZPA