A new adventure tourism activity is planned for the Kawarau River, which, if consent is approved and the project proceeds, would see thrill seekers reach speeds of up to 180kmh during a three-minute ride.
The Beast Company Ltd project manager Allen Dean, of Christchurch, said a resource consent application for a triangular-shaped flying fox, east of the AJ Hackett Bungy operation at the Kawarau River, was likely to be lodged in the next month.
The 2.5km-long ride would reach speeds of up to 180kmh after lifting patrons 350m to the top range on the north side of the river, then drop them 300m over 1.2km, before going around a patented 20-degree arc, dropping another 70m before returning them 700m back to the starting point.
Mr Dean said the company had resource consent for the flying fox in Christchurch, but was unable to find a suitable area in which to construct it.
After planning for the past three years, the company believed the Kawarau Gorge, using Department of Conservation land, was the ideal location.
Doc's Wakatipu Area manager Greg Lind said he had not heard of the proposal, which would require his approval.
Doc Wakatipu managed the land on either side of the Kawarau River and had to give consent, along with the Queenstown Lakes District Council, for the activity.
Mr Lind said he could not comment on the likelihood of the proposal gaining consent without having seen it.
Mr Dean said the flying fox would be the first of its kind.
"I've had the idea for five years, but we couldn't get something decent to go around the corner."
The estimated cost for construction of the flying fox when it was planned for Canterbury was more than $1 million.
Surveyors were expected to finish their work by the end of this week and, following a presentation to Doc, the resource consent application would be lodged with Lakes Environmental, he said.
"We hope it will go through non-notified.
"When we had a resource consent for Canterbury . . . it went through no problem at all."
Mr Dean said the company, which operated The Beast Purpose Built Obstacle Course and Ultim8 Paintball, had a "2+ record for safety" from the Department of Labour which was one of the highest ratings in New Zealand.
Customers on the flying fox would be equipped with a helmet and strapped into a safety harness, similar to the type used for bungy jumping.
"It's safe.
"There's a safety plan that we're putting together at the moment."
Cameras would also be attached to the helmet so customers could buy a DVD of their experience.
Mr Dean said he did not know what the price would be to the end user but "the bigger the thrill, the bigger the charge".
