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Referral application documents for the proposed Queenstown Cable Car have been published on the Government’s Fast-track Approvals website, ahead of a ministerial decision on whether the project will proceed to full assessment.
Project promoter Southern Infrastructure Limited says the early release provides an opportunity for community and stakeholder engagement prior to a formal referral decision under the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024.
A referral determines whether a proposal can move to a substantive assessment phase by an expert consenting panel. It is not approval to construct or operate the project.
Southern Infrastructure chief executive Ross Copland says feedback received to date will inform the next phase of technical work, including detailed design, environmental assessment and integration with the wider transport network.
If referred, the project would undergo further assessment involving councils, statutory authorities, iwi and affected landowners.
The fully electric rapid-transit proposal would connect central Queenstown with Frankton, Queenstown Airport and Ladies Mile, operating independently of the road network. Southern Infrastructure argues the system would provide a high-capacity alternative to the congested SH6A and SH6 corridors, which currently link the district’s main urban centres.
The company says ongoing technical work has refined elements of the indicative route, including a preferred alignment along State Highway 6 with a proposed station near the Queenstown Central precinct. Engagement has also been undertaken with Transpower regarding network interfaces.
Southern Infrastructure says the cable car is intended to complement, rather than replace, existing bus services and future multi-modal transport options. Integration with the national Motu Move ticketing system is envisaged.
The project is backed by investor Rod Drury, and forms part of a wider programme of proposed infrastructure initiatives in the Southern Lakes district.
A referral decision is expected in the coming weeks.
