Proposed zipline would pump $4m into Hanmer Springs economy in five years – Stuff.co.nz

Twenty-five new tourism jobs may be created at the popular Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa complex if a new multimillion-dollar ride gets the go-ahead.

The Canterbury company has lodged a resource consent application with the Hurunui District Council to build an 850-metre-long downhill zipline on the villages Conical Hill Reserve.

The consent is open for submissions until April 19 and, if approved, the ride will be up and flying by the end of the year.

Maria Feliza Inez/Magic Memories

The popular South Island tourist destination lodged resource consent to build an 850-metre-long downhill zipline on the villages Conical Hill.

The ride, which is being developed fully through a $2.2 million grant through the Provincial Growth Fund, will use technology developed by Christchurch-based Holmes Solutions.

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General manager Graeme Abbot said the zipline would be the first ride of its type in New Zealand and only the second in the world.

SUPPLIED

The development plan for the proposed Hanmer Springs zipline.

It would create 25 new jobs and was expected to inject $4m into the local economy in its first five years, he said.

Were delighted this old dream of ours is a step closer to reality with the lodging of resource consent.

The zipline course would allow riders to fly above and through the canopy and treeline on Conical Hill and would finish on the southern side of the hill, where there were spectacular views over the village, Abbot said.

Riders would be harnessed on a suspended seat attached to a trolley up to 5m above ground. The trolley could be set to different speeds and would navigate seven corners on the course.

George Heard/Stuff

General manager Graeme Abbot said if the zipline goes ahead, the company would create 25 new jobs as the ride was expected to inject $4 million into the local economy in its first five years.

The ride was designed to blend into the natural environment by using natural colours and timber, and would be as sustainable as possible by using a solar-powered braking system.

Overall the ride is gravity-powered, so its practically silent. Our decision to not transport visitors to the start of the ride at the top of the hill, means its carbon footprint will be zero, which aligns with our role as a kaitiaki (guardian) of Hanmer Springs.

Abbot said the walk time from the top of Conical Hill Rd up the zig-zag path to the zipline at the top of the hill takes usually takes about 35 minutes.

The zipline would give a boost to the tourism sector, which had been decimated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Kavinda Herath/Stuff

Tourism Minister Stuart Nash talks about New Zealand tourism in Queenstown.

On Wednesday, Wnaka-based mountain guiding company Adventure Consultants announced it was reluctantly placing the business into hibernation one of many people forced to close due to low visitor numbers and ongoing border closures.

Queenstowns 220-room Millennium Hotel closed at the end of January, while popular bar Muskets and Moonshine closed about the same time, and Canyon Explorers went into hibernation in February.

Tourism Minister Stuart Nash set out his priorities for the struggling tourism sector at the Otago University Tourism Policy School conference in Queenstown last month.

He previously told Stuff the pandemic had provided an opportunity to take a hard look at the sector and to fix long-standing issues.

Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools

The water slides at the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa.

Most New Zealanders all recognise that prior to Covid-19, unsustainable tourism levels put far too much undue pressure on communities and our natural attractions, and many communities have struggled to absorb.

Mass international tourism was unlikely before 2022, and he was deeply concerned about the situation unfolding in areas like Queenstown, the West Coast, Fiordland, the Mackenzie District and Kaikura, which relied heavily on overseas visitors, he said.

Public submissions on the zipline could be made on the Hurunui District Councils website.

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Proposed zipline would pump $4m into Hanmer Springs economy in five years - Stuff.co.nz