About the application
Applicant
Ruapehu Alpine Lifts Limited
Location of proposed activity
The new Gondola will begin at the edge of Happy Valley and terminate at Knoll Ridge, Whakapapa Ski Area, Mt Ruapehu. The existing Waterfall Express Chairlift begins at Hut Flat and terminates at Knoll Ridge.
Map reference
Between approximate map references NZTM: 1820,778.5653,781 – 1821291.5652119.
Summary of proposal
It is proposed to construct a new detachable gondola at Whakapapa Ski Area. The gondola cabins will be 10-person capacity and the maximum design capacity is expected to be approximately 2,400 persons per hour, although it is likely to be operated at a reduced speed. The proposal is entirely within the existing Licence Area and is to replace the uphill capacity that was lost through the removal of the National Downhill Chairlift.
It is also proposed to remove the Waterfall Express Chairlift.
Authorisation applied for
Ruapehu Alpine Lifts Limited has requested a works approval to construct a gondola beginning at the edge of Happy Valley and terminating at Knoll Ridge, and to remove the existing Waterfall Express Chairlift.
The proposed lower gondola terminal will be the drive terminal, containing the engine and running equipment for the gondola and cabin storage.
The proposed gondola will extend from the Top o’ the Bruce to Knoll Ridge. The rise in elevation is from approximately 1,631 m asl to 1,816 m asl. The length of the gondola will be approximately 1,833 m and at this stage in the preliminary design approximately 14-16 towers are anticipated.
The upper terminal will be located at Knoll Ridge near the Knoll Ridge Café and Waterfall Express upper terminal. The terminal will be adjacent the Knoll Ridge Café with the new paved area between the two buildings located on the south side of the café.
The Waterfall Express Chairlift towers and upper terminal building are proposed to be removed alongside the new gondola construction. The lower terminal building will be retained due to critical services located within it including sewerage handling and snowmaking pump stations.
Public notification
The application was publicly notified on 20 and 21 February 2018 and submissions closed on 21 March 2018. A total of 80 written submissions were received. Of this, 68 submissions were in opposition to the application, seven provided conditional support, one was neutral and four were supportive.
A hearing was held on 26 March 2018.
Decision
Approval to the application was given on 17 April 2018.
Approval documents:
Application documents
- Executive summary of gondola proposal (PDF, 1,377K)
- Gondola works approval and resource consent application (PDF, 29,347K) Note: this is a large file
- Landscape assessment addendum to gondola application (PDF, 425K)
- Letter from gondola ropeway manufacturer (PDF, 89K)
- Architect's impression of lower terminal building (shown as building on left hand side of image above happy valley) (PDF, 8,217K)
- Additional landscape effects assessment (PDF, 506K)
- Tower gantry width (PDF, 151K)
Note: some of these documents are low quality scans.