The operator of the Christchurch Gondola hopes to reopen it by the end of next month, provided it can go ahead with work to remove the risk of rockfall.
The gondola has been closed since the February 2011 earthquake burst a sprinkler head, causing 60,000 litres of water to flood the top station.
The Wood Scenic Line is applying to the Christchurch City Council for easements so it can secure potential rockfall hazards above the operation.
The company's managing director Michael Esposito says before the quake the gondola was a popular tourist attraction, with 150,000 people a year visiting it.
But he says he does not expect the numbers to return to that level for five or six years.
Mr Esposito says what's needed are for cruise boats to come back into Lyttelton and for more accommodation and a convention centre to be built.
