Queenstown’s development of a new public transport system has gained momentum, with local expertise now helping lead the charge.
Queenstown Cable Car has appointed local industry leader Toby Arnott as Establishment General Manager, bringing deep community ties and a strong understanding of the town's evolution.
For Arnott, a Queenstown resident, the project was both timely and necessary.
“I remember Queenstown before congestion became part of daily life, when getting around was easy and the town felt more connected. Growth has brought incredible opportunities, but also real pressure on infrastructure. This project is about making it easier for everyone to get around the district so they can enjoy what makes Queenstown special,” said Arnott.
“Bringing my operational experience to a project this important, in my own backyard, is exactly the challenge I wanted. I look forward to building a strong local team and earning the trust of the Queenstown community.”
The proposed cable car system will provide a reliable, high-capacity transport alternative, reducing pressure on roads while enhancing the overall visitor and resident experience. It has been led and funded by local firm Southern Infrastructure.
Southern Infrastructure CEO Ross Copland said it will focus on delivering an immediate solution to one of Queenstown’s most pressing issues in a district where the population has doubled over the past 12 years.
“The cable car project is equivalent to a bus every minute connecting the busiest parts of town. Most importantly, it can provide immediate relief with a build programme of just two years,” said Copland.
‘In an era where project durations are usually measured in decades, that’s an important point of difference. We’re getting overwhelming feedback from locals and businesses that we just need to get on with it, so that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
Copland added that having Arnott on board strengthened the project’s connection to the community.
"It’s a huge win for us to secure someone of Toby’s calibre to establish the cable car operation. Toby has a huge work ethic, attention to detail and a genuine commitment to excellence honed over years of executive roles in the ski industry.”
The project was referred under the Fast Track Approvals Act in April this year and is targeting opening in the 2029/30 summer.
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