Delays place doubt on Hanmer flyride project

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

Delays on a proposed flyride in North Canterbury are placing the project in doubt, community leaders say.

Hurunui district councillor Tom Davies said he fears a proposed flyride project in Hanmer Springs is becoming untenable, as the community continues to wait for a decision from the Environment Court.

A resource consent was granted to the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa to install and operate a gravity-based recreation activity at Conical Hill Reserve by a Hurunui District Council appointed commissioner two years ago.

But it was appealed to the Environment Court by The Friends of Conical Hill Incorporated.

The Environment Court heard the appeal in Hanmer Springs in March.

A spokesperson for the court said the decision ‘‘is still with the court, at this stage we have no estimated issue date’’.

Davies said residents just wanted to know one way or the other, so they could move on.

‘‘It is just crazy it has taken so long,’’ he said.

‘‘I fear the project may be in danger of not going ahead because of how long it has taken.

‘‘It has been going on for years and it would probably still be another 18 months down the track before it is completed, even if it was approved now.’’

Hanmer Springs Community Board chairperson Mary Holloway said she believed most residents had moved on.

‘‘It was supposed to be a ‘shovel ready’ project and I can’t imagine how much it has cost ratepayers to go through this process.

‘‘Both sides are pretty passionate about it, but I think businesses are just getting on with what they are doing.

‘‘I think most people just assume it is not going to happen.’’

Hurunui Tourism product development manager Graeme Abbot said staff will need to review the project, should the consent be confirmed.

‘‘We will need to have another look at whether it is still viable and consider what, if any, conditions are placed on it.

Plan A was to have it up and running by now.’’

Despite the wait for the flyride decision, Abbot said the town is booming.

Visitor numbers for the first week of the October school holidays, last week, were up 14% on last year. Businesses are getting ready for the summer season, which is promising to be another busy one, he said.

The pools were fully staff which hadn’t been the case for a few years due to Covid.

‘‘We are all already fully staffed at the pools for Christmas period, which hasn’t been the case for a few years due to Covid.’’

■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.