RC210098 - Hanmer Springs Flyride

Resource consent to install and operate a gravity-based recreation activity at Conical Hill Reserve – Conical Hill Road and 54 Lucas Lane, Hanmer Springs.

Appeal hearing

The hearing will recommence on Monday 18 March 2024 at 2.15pm. The Environment Court proceedings will be held in The Ballroom at Hanmer Springs Hotel, 1 Conical Hill Road, Hanmer Springs.

Please note some sittings will be closed to the public.

Hearing notice

The Environment Court initially convened 27 February 2024, with the hearing adjourned and not completed within the original sitting dates.

Appeals received

An appeal was received on 10 March 2022 from The Friends of Conical Hill Incorporated.

Friends of Conical Hill

Environment Court facilitated mediation took place May 2022 but was unsuccessful in resolving the points of appeal.

Decision

A decision was issued by Commissioner Dean Chrystal on 18 February 2022.

RC210098 Decision

Commissioner minutes

Applicant's right of reply

Lizard Management Plan peer review

Peer review - Marieke Lettink

Responses:

Traffic experts' joint witness statement

Traffic joint witness statement

Hearing documents

Hearing timetable

Applicant's evidence

Applicant summaries

Council officer report

Council evidence

Statement of evidence - Dave Smith - Transportation (PDF, 141.9KB)

Submitter evidence

Friends of Conical Hill (submitter #41)

Livestream of two day Hearing - Hanmer Springs Flyride

Livestream - (please click and scroll to the appropriate meeting date)

Application

Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa (the applicant) have made changes to the original resource consent application (RC210029) to install and operate a flyride on the western face of the Conical Hill Reserve. The changes are outlined in an addendum and are considered to be out of scope of the original application. Therefore, the resource consent application is being notified and processed as a new application.

The flyride consists of a cable track system, which is constructed on seven poles situated on the ride route. The ride experience is provided by suspended trolleys which hang from the cable track. The flyride changes direction at each of the seven poles which also provide tension and anchoring for the ride. The proposal includes two additional platforms being the start and stop stations that provide for rider access.

Map of proposed flyride location and path.

The ride extends over a distance of approximately 500m from start to stop. The ride will have potential for three different ride speeds being fast, medium and slow. The fastest ride will be approximately 70 seconds long and the slowest approximately 120 seconds.

The level of activity proposed is based on a proposed target of 50-60 passengers per hour. The typical operation will have a capacity of 50 riders per hour, however with the ability for some tandem rides, this could enable up to 60 persons per hour.

The proposed hours of operation consist of core hours being 10am to 6pm, with the consent seeking the opportunity to extend these hours during summer with the potential to start at 9am and finish at 7pm.

Access to and from the ride experience for participants and spectators is by pedestrian focussed tracks. There is no customer car access proposed or provided to any part of the site, nor any new carparking.

Rule breaches

Five of the poles proposed are higher than the maximum height of 8 metres allowed within the Open Space Zone.
The noise limits for activities within the Open Space Zone would also be exceeded outside the northern and western boundaries of the site, in some circumstances.
As the application comprises a new activity which is to be established on site, carparking is required to be provided. No carparking is proposed as part of this application.
As the poles and line of the proposed flyride are captured under the definition of ‘building,’ being structures which are more than 2.5 metres in height, they are required to comply with the Hanmer Springs design standards. The poles and line are constructed of steel which is not a permitted cladding material under the Hanmer Springs design standards.
The part of the site where the proposed flyride is to be located is within an identified slope hazard 4 area. Therefore, the siting and erection of the proposed flyride is a discretionary activity.

Overall, the application is a discretionary activity in accordance with the District Plan. In addition, as the flyride is proposed to be located on Conical Hill Reserve, the Reserve Management Plan and Reserves Act apply. Under the Reserve Management Plan, any commercial activity is only permitted on reserve land unless specifically allowed for in an individual reserve policy or otherwise licensed by Council. The Conical Hill Reserve Management Plan does not specifically allow for commercial activities on Conical Hill. Therefore, the Conical Hill Reserve Management Plan will either need to be amended or the flyride will be required to be licensed by Council. The resource consent application outlines that a licence will be applied for.

The application may be viewed at Hanmer Springs Community Library & Service Centre or viewed and downloaded from the links below. If you have any questions about the application, please contact Kelsey Bewley on 03 314 0048 or at kelsey.bewley@hurunui.govt.nz.

Application documents

Covering letter outlining application documents

Information provided in relation to the original resource consent application (RC210029):

Information provided in relation to the addendum to the original application:

Reason for public notification

In accordance with section 95A of the Resource Management Act 1991, the applicant has requested that the resource consent application be publicly notified.