Adventure Park seeks green light

Detailed plans for a proposed $32 million adventure park in the hills west of Porirua are being put to the public as the company seeks permission to start building.

Submissions are open as leisure and recreation company Select Contracts begins the process of getting resource consent from Porirua City Council. It must also seek a concession to use Department of Conservation land at the bottom of Rangituhi.

Previously described as a ‘‘game-changer’’ by mayor Mike Tana, the proposed Porirua Adventure Park will add to the number of existing mountain-bike trails and feature a $12m gondola, zip line, hiking trails, a surf pool, and a cafe at each of the base and top gondola stations.

An economic impact assessment by consultancy firm MartinJenkins estimated it would boost Porirua’s gross domestic product (GDP) by $9.6m a year and create about 171 jobs in the Wellington area.

A Select Contracts spokeswoman urged people to have their say, saying the future of the project ‘‘currently depends on those two permissions’’.

The plans showed the park would sit across various scenic territories including Spicer Botanical Park, Rangituhi/Colonial Knob Scenic Reserve, Te Rahui o Rangituhi, Porirua Scenic Reserve, the Spicer Botanical Park and a portion of Spicer Landfill.

‘‘There was a lot of work done with ecologist Paul Blaschke leading up to our resource consent and concession applications, because we know that many people will want to be reassured that this beautiful landscape will not be adversely affected by the development of Porirua Adventure Park.

‘‘We have proposed a number of remediation and mitigation measures, such as working with Porirua City Council on a longterm planting restoration plan.

‘‘Also, pest control measures, and improvements to the Mitchell Stream that will remove current barriers and improve fish passage.’’

The year-long construction on the park is aimed to start early next year.

Public submissions to Porirua City Council are due by October 31, while those to DOC must be submitted by October 19.

‘‘We know that many people will want to be reassured that this beautiful landscape will not be adversely affected.’’ Select Contracts spokeswoman