Busy year anticipated in Hanmer Springs

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

From local democracy reporter David Hill:

As the Hanmer Springs Community Board gears up for its first meeting of the year on Monday, chairperson Mary Holloway is anticipating a busy 2023.

The proposed flyride at Conical Hill, funding for the Queen Mary Hospital Soldiers’ Block and new cycling/walking tracks are just some of the things in the pipeline.

The town’s newest attraction, the disc golf course at Brook Dawson Reserve, was launched earlier this month and was already attracting plenty of interest, Holloway said.

‘‘Hanmer Springs is a small village and we punch well for our size.
‘‘The permanent population in the whole basin is about 700 and there is about 500 people living in the village.’’

She said around two-thirds of the homes in the village were holiday homes.

The controversial flyride proposal will be the subject of an Environment Court hearing beginning on February 27.

A consent was granted to the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa in October 2021 to install and operate a gravity-based recreation activity (flyride) on the western face of Conical Hill Reserve.

The decision was appealed by The Friends of Conical Hill Inc.

‘‘Under the proposal people will have to walk up the hill to get up on the flyride for a three minute ride,’’ Holloway said.

‘‘But some residents are concerned it will lead to something else and they won’t be able to walk up and hear the bellbirds and generally enjoy the area as they always have.’’

She said concerned residents feared a chair lift, a luge and even a restaurant could be added at a later date.

Meanwhile the council planned to spend some of its Three Waters Better Off funding on the former Queen Mary Hospital Soldiers’ Block.

Holloway said she could not wait to hear the council’s proposals.
‘‘I am hoping the council will choose to apply for funding to purchase the remainder of the [hospital] site.

‘‘It will give Hanmer Springs its own Hagley Park and it will be stunning.’’
She said the Conical Hill walking track was the most used in Canterbury.

The board had just completed a new 1.5 hour loop track around the outside of the village and linking with Conical Hill.

A new tracks hub will be created this year in the Hanmer Springs village green to provide information on the tracks and it will include bike stands and a shelter.