Knights tussle over chairlift proposal for Queenstown ski field

Three jousting knights have drawn their lances over a proposed new chairlift at the Remarkables skifield, in Queenstown.

The Department of Conservation held a public hearing on the proposal for the new chairlift and ski trails, replacing the existing Sugar Bowl chairlift, yesterday.

Owner of NZSki and the Remarkables, Sir John Davies, sat quietly in the background, having delegated his speaking role to staff.

Fellow rich-lister and Queenstown resident Sir Eion Edgar, also chairman of the Winter Games, spoke in support of the proposal.

In opposition, speaking via Skype in Dunedin, was acclaimed botanist and conservationist Sir Alan Mark.

Remarkables ski area manager Ross Lawrence told the hearing the current chairlift was obsolete. The proposed larger and faster chairlift and new trails would be safer and improve the experience for visitors.

Edgar said he had great respect for NZSki and it had a proven track record.

The Winter Games was now the third largest winter sport event in the world and required more facilities, such as the terrain park that would be established as part of this development, to help it grow, he said.

Mark told the department representatives he accepted the new chairlift was necessary and the realigned proposal would have minimal impact to the ecology and vegetation.

However, he was concerned the proposed new trails, some up to 50m wide, would have a substantial effect on the ‘‘magnificent landscape’’.

NZSki planned to transplant snow tussocks and other alpine vegetation but they were ‘‘notoriously difficult’’ to rehabilitate, he said.

Mark said he was also concerned NZSki had not considered the long term impacts of global warming, arguing it would likely reduce the snow fall.

He suggested that if the application was granted the company should have to off set the effects of the work by making a ‘‘substantial’’ investment in local conservation work.

Forest and Bird Otago and Southland manager Sue Maturin said she was pleased NZSki had revised the application to exclude an area of wetland from the new trails but she opposed the application and ‘‘ongoing, piecemeal’’ development at the skifield.

Forest and Bird is taking legal action against the skifield over the modification of another wetlands area undertaken this year.

Former cabinet minister and Queenstown Lakes Mayor Warren Cooper said there was a huge amount of area in the mountains that could be walked in summer and it would be a ‘‘tragedy’’ to be too mindful of the effects on the skifield itself.

He was unhappy with the concession process and said the proceeding was ‘‘bizarre’’.

Lawrence told the hearing the company was experienced at developing new ski runs and understood that revegetation was a dedicated and ongoing process.

A NIMA climate change report prepared for the snow sports industry showed the Remarkables might get more natural snow in the future, he said.

‘‘We will continue to invest time and money until both parties (NZSki and DOC) are satisfied with the outcome,’’ he said.

NZSki also requires resource consents from the Queenstown Lakes District Council and Otago Regional Council.

‘‘We will continue to invest time and money until both parties (NZSki and DOC) are satisfied with the outcome.’’

Remarkables ski area manager Ross Lawrence