Plans for a commercial water-propelled ''jet pack'' attraction for tourists on Queenstown Bay were met with caution when the possible noise the venture would generate was discussed by the Queenstown Lakes District Council.
Queenstown Flyboard sought a licence to occupy St Omer Park to operate its water-based activity, which involves a jet board connected to a jet ski which lets users fly through the air and dive into the water.
Council operations general manager Ruth Stokes told councillors last week the commercial activity was in line with the reserve management plan for the area and the activity would further the public's enjoyment of the lake and foreshore.
She recommended the council approve a licence to occupy for one year initially for evaluation, subject to the operator's gaining resource consent for its operation, organising public liability insurance and supplying an audited health and safety plan, approved by the harbourmaster.
The company sought to establish a gazebo for ticket sales, a changing tent, desk and chair and a store of clothing and towels for the activity on part of the 650m long lakeside park.
Cr Lex Perkins said the operation ''looked noisy'', judging by the photographs enclosed in the report, and said St Omer Park was the only park left without major commercial activity on it.
Cr Cath Gilmour did not agree Queenstown Flyboard fitted with the reserve management plan.
She said what was proposed was a different activity than the other existing operation off the park, the comparatively silent Kayak Adventures Queenstown, which was also based further away from visitor accommodation towards the One Mile Roundabout end of the park.
When a question was raised as to who owned Queenstown Flyboard was met with silence councillors decided they did not know enough about the proposed activity or the company to approve a licence to occupy.
The council decided the application should go through the public notification process.
Cr Russell Mawhinney said Queenstown Flyboard wanted to start operating on December 1, so there was time for public notification.
