The developer behind a $200 million monorail project in Fiordland is making a last-ditch push to rally the public behind his proposal.
Infinity Investment Group director Bob Robertson has conducted a poll which he says shows almost 60% of New Zealanders back his plan to build a 41km monorail outside Fiordland National Park.
Unlike the recently rejected Milford Dart Tunnel, he says the monorail avoids pristine land.
Opponents say the monorail will travel through the Snowdon conservation area and will result in thousands of trees being cut down.
But Mr Robertson says the rail line will be no wider than six metres, and while trees will have to be removed, the canopy will not be broken.
But Save Fiordland chair Bill Jarvie says it's not possible to clear only a six metre strip of land. He says the developer will also need to build a separate road for construction vehicles.
The Minister of Conservation is expected to make a decision on whether the project can proceed by the end of this year.
