The proposed route for the cable car system. Image / Supplied
A referral allows the Minister to decide whether the project should proceed to a full substantive assessment under the Fast-track Approvals legislation.
It is not a final decision on the project itself.
If referred, the proposal would be assessed in detail by an expert consenting panel, including further technical work by Southern Infrastructure and its consultants, as well as input from councils, statutory authorities, iwi and affected landowners.
A referral decision is expected in the coming weeks.
Most of the referral material is already in the public domain and has been shared with organisations including Queenstown Lakes District Council, Otago Regional Council, Waka Kotahi, Ngāi Tahu, the Department of Conservation and Queenstown Airport Corporation.
Additional material will be released once the referral decision is made.
Southern Infrastructure said ongoing technical work since lodging the application had clarified several design priorities, including improving access to the State Highway 6 growth area around Frankton North and Five Mile.
Progress has also been made with Transpower, allowing refinement of the indicative network, including a preferred route along SH6 with a station at Queenstown Central.
Chief executive Ross Copland said stakeholder feedback had been valuable and would inform the next phase of work.
“The Fast-track Approvals Act 2024 is a new piece of planning legislation, and there is understandably a learning curve for everyone involved,” he said.
“Some of the questions raised are important and will be addressed in detail as the project moves forward.”
The fully electric cable car system is proposed as a high-capacity public transport link between the town centre, Queenstown Airport, Frankton and Ladies Mile.
Southern Infrastructure said congestion and unreliable travel times along SH6A and SH6 were affecting daily life and housing delivery, with the cable car offering a reliable off-road alternative operating in all weather conditions.
Copland said the cable car was intended to complement, not replace, existing public transport.
“Naturally the bus network will evolve to provide a mix of distribution and feeder services to utilise the capacity of the rapid-transit network as it expands.”
Southern Infrastructure said it had committed significant private risk capital to the project and described it as nationally significant.
The project is backed by venture philanthropist Rod Drury.
“We’ve rolled our sleeves up and done the work,” Drury said.
“This project has the potential to solve local transport challenges, enhance the visitor experience, and demonstrate a new way of delivering essential infrastructure in New Zealand.”