Decisions on consents pending

TWO councils are yet to decide whether to publicly notify consent applications for $18 million of work at The Remarkables.

The Department of Conservation (Doc) this week publicly notified the concession sought by NZSki to replace its 32yearold chairlifts in a project which includes the creation of three new trails.

A total of 345,000cu m of earthworks over 122,000sq m of land is planned, along with the removal of about 77,678sq m of indigenous vegetation, the majority of which would be replanted.

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

Both councils said neither had assessed the consent applications to determine if public notification was required.

NZSki chief executive Paul Anderson said the project required a sixmonth build and hoped work could begin in the new year.

‘‘We need ski lifts and we need to make sure our ski lifts are of the highest standard.’’

NZSki had ordered a new sixseater chairlift, replacing the existing fourseater, and was awaiting delivery.

Doc acting Dunedin permissions and statutory land management manager David Griffin said NZSki Ltd initially applied for an easement, which would not necessarily require public notification.

It changed this to the required lease, licence and easement on the department’s advice.

Doc determined all required notification.

Submissions on the Doc concession close on December 5.