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by Scott Stevens

True to the spirit of Queenstown there is always another opportunity knocking at the door. Most local established individuals and businesses are not particularly keen to disrupt the pecking order that is working for them now. Until a trigger threatens the status quo. Then it’s all on for pole position and ownership of the next big thing.

Alternative transport options have been planned and consented, put on hold then half-heartedly started again with not much urgency. Until now. We are “suddenly” in a complete pickle. Now a gondola from Frankton to Queenstown, and another gondola from Frankton to Queenstown are gaining significant traction. Tourist attractions or real transport solutions? You be the judge. Whatever the case, the one that thrives will be a golden goose for the owners. The race is on.

It’s no surprise then in the race for position, to see an old idea being floated again by none other than Skyline Enterprises. An alternative road to Frankton Road into Queenstown. Regardless of your conclusion that the new gondola proposals are legitimate transport options or simply tourist attractions, a tourist here for a week will be unlikely to spend time and money on more than one gondola ride. That gondola ride may very well happen before they even set eyes on the current number one tourism attraction in town, snaking up Bob’s Peak.

Whatever the motivation from Skyline, to protect and enhance shareholder returns or help the community at large get from A to B, an alternative road into Queenstown needs to happen. The only way it is going to be built on time and on budget is by private enterprise. Who better than our locally owned Big End of Town.

The big end of town, not just Skyline Enterprises but all our long time successful locally owned mega businesses, have the funds and the connections to put this alternative to Frankton Road back on the agenda and get it built.

Privately funded transport is the only way we are getting out of this pickle. Council and NZTA have done less than the bare minimum for decades. And when they do attempt to build a road, it’s hugely disruptive, takes way too long, costs rate payers and taxpayers crippling amounts whether you use it or not.

A smart organised cashed up business consortium will smash this challenging but achievable road out in no time, we won’t even know it’s happening until it’s finished, and we will only pay if we choose to use it. What’s the downside?

I’ve got nothing against the gondola proposals. It’s just that a gondola strung across Queenstown Hill full of tourists looking into the backyards of residents below will not affect me and I won’t have a need to use it. Selfishly, I do not care one way or the other. Fill ya boots.

Just hurry up and build us this High Road.