Monorail could be worth $80m to NZ economy

An artists impression of the proposed Fiordlank Link Experience.

The company behind the controversial Fiordland Link Experience expects it will pour $80 million a year into the New Zealand economy.

The project includes a 41km monorail which is under consideration by Conservation Minister Nick Smith.

A report commissioned by Fiordland Link says as well as injecting the $80 million each year into the economy, the tourism venture would also have a hand in creating 1,000 new jobs both directly and indirectly.

It stated the project would attract 30,000 tourists annually.

Director Bob Robertson says the $80 million is a conservative estimate.

"It only takes into account the additional tourists we believe we will get into New Zealand, what it doesn't do is take into account how many people who come into New Zealand who currently don't travel to the South Island."

Bob Robertson believes it could be worth as much as $100 million a year.
Mr Robertson wants to get through to Dr Smith.

"I think it's important to him and the market to know what sort of benefit New Zealand Inc. will get out of the monorail."

Nick Smith is expected to decide the monorail's future sometime in the next few months.