Approval for a proposed flyline​ at a popular Taupō camping spot will be one of the first decisions the new incoming district council will have to make.

4nature NZ Ltd have put a proposal forward to build a flyline and cafe at the southern end of Hipapatua Reserve (Reid's Farm) on Huka Falls Road.

The flyline is a mono-tube suspended from appropriate trees (and poles where necessary) by wire cables. Visitors are safety-strapped into a specially designed seated sling and travel at controlled speeds of around 6-12 kmh.

The operation in Taupō would be the first outside of Europe to use the system.

Promoter Alex Schmid was given provisional approval in April this year for a 10 year lease to occupy a portion of the reserve subject to mutually agreed licence conditions being negotiated with the Taupō District Council.

Schmid has been involved in the development of Rotorua's popular Redwoods Treewalk and has also recently announced he is bringing a patented German manufactured aerial adventure park system to New Zealand.

The flyline was again discussed at the final meeting of the outgoing council in September as an updated licence to occupy document had earlier been circulated to members.

The topic of iwi consultation was raised, given the Tahunaiti historical site is not far from the proposed course of the flyline, and chief executive Gareth Green advised that a hui-a-hapū being held at Nukuhau Marae would take place in the week following the meeting.

While councillors were advised iwi consultation did not necessarily require agreement, if significant concerns were raised, the item would be brought back to council. 

Despite there being a desire expressed on the part of the promoter that there be no more delay, the councillors, after some brief discussion, decided that iwi consultation should be completed prior to further council consideration of the licence to occupy and therefore decided to defer a final decision. This will now have to be picked up by the new council.

The proposed flyline has not been without its opponents - a shortened public consultation time in March elicited 33 submissions - 26 opposed, with seven in support. Some opponents raised noise as a concern.

However Schmid, in his supporting information and presentation to the council, said the flyline was a lot more quiet and gentle than a zip line operation. He listed a number of benefits including walking tracks, pest control and information boards in the reserve, employment opportunities (15-20 staff) in a venture of low environmental impact.

The proposed agreement between the council and 4Nature restricts hours of operation in summer from 9am-7pm and for the rest of the year (March to November) from 9am-5pm. Noise levels were to be restricted to those of the residential environment, including the mechanical noise of the equipment. 

The operator would have to provide 25 parks and two disability carparks and two unisex toilets (whether these would be made available to the public would be at the licensee's discretion). The company would also have to supply and implement a restoration plan for the vegetation in the licensed area.

The annual licence fee in the proposed arrangement was $32,500, with instalments to be paid monthly. The fee would be reviewed on a three yearly basis.

The first meeting for the newly elected council is Thursday, October 31 - however this is largely administrative and the first council business is unlikely to be discussed until November 26, or even December 10.

Schmid has been approached for comment but is currently overseas.

Source: Taupo Times