A Rotorua-style gondola and luge are planned for a quiet valley of lifestyle blocks near the Rodney coastal resort of Waiwera.
The hillside chosen for the $4 million adventure park would allow the gondola to rise to 120m, compared with the 178.5m rise at the Rotorua operation, andwould give two luge tracks, each of 1km.
A group of Orewa investors have formed Active Living Ltd to seek resource consent for the 37ha site, which is on Weranui Rd, west of SH1 at Waiwera and 50km from Auckland.
Active Living spokesman Graeme Hinton said the gondola would ferry people and carts to the luge, a restaurant and lookout.
The park would also have a 30-bed dormitory for student trips and six bush retreat chalets for up to 40.
An average of 4500 visitors a month were expected.
The adventure park was about 500m from the proposed Albany to Puhoi motorway but would not have direct access.
But more than 30 residents objected to the project in a "beautiful and peaceful valley" when the Rodney District Council considered a resource consent application on Friday.
The Waiwera Property Owners and Residents Association said the area had a high environmental value and such a development should not even be considered. It would affect the lifestyle of neighbouring property owners and the safety of motorists and pedestrians, said association president Bob Miller.
The Waiwera Valley Association said the company should contribute to upgrading Weranui Rd.
Other objectors said noise would frighten away rare birds from swamp on the site and the adjoining Straka wildlife reserve and pond, and the Waiwera Estuary.
The company's planning consultant, Ewan Henderson, said the shape of the valley would contain noise but planting and rerouting the luge should reduce any impact on the nearest neighbours.
The Auckland Regional Council would monitor precautions taken against earthworks and silt washing into swamps and waterways. The council expected the company to pay $278,000 towards road improvements.
