ONE RAIL, ONE VOICE:Te Anau resident Ray Willett speaks at a public meeting on a proposed monorail project in Te Anau yesterday.

Riverstone Holdings met with tough opposition at a public meeting in Te Anau yesterday afternoon as some residents remain adamant that a proposed monorail is not good for the region.

It was standing room only at a public meeting on the proposed monorail, linking Queenstown and Fiordland, in Te Anau.

Riverstone holdings director John Beattie told the crowd of about 200 people the company agreed with the Department of Conservation and others who believed the landscapes in the area were universally awesome.

"All of that is part of the reason why we're here today saying to you `We think there is a wonderful opportunity and it should be investigated' and we're very happy to have that discussion with you," he said.

Someone needed to take some leadership in showcasing the region and reversing declining visitor numbers to Milford Sound, he said.

Visitors to Milford Sound were projected to reach just 375,000 in 2012 compared to 424,000 in 2011, he said.

However, the majority of those attending the meeting appeared to oppose the development, with many – including Southland District Mayor Frana Cardno – concerned it would reduce visits to the town.

Riverstone chairman Bob Robertson's claims the end destination was Te Anau, not Milford Sound, was met by cries of "yeah right" and "b.......".

One resident questioned how the company could change the natural landscape of the area "just to bring a few Chinamen here".

Another said the brochure about the proposal Riverstone handed out at the beginning of the meeting was "all fluff to disguise the fact that you want a piece of a ... national park, which we all own.

"You want exclusive access of it for private financial gain, and that's the rub," she said.