DOC's concession processes

Concession activities vary in size, scale, complexity and effects. To reflect this DOC has four processes for considering concession applications. If you are unsure which process is right for you contact local DOC staff or discuss at your pre-application meeting

In increasing order of complexity, time, effects, interest in the land, public involvement and cost, the processes used to assess applications are:

• Conforming
• One-off
• Non-notified
• Notified

Telecom tower, Mt Taranaki

Also find out about:

• Multi-conservancy concessions
• How decisions are made

Conforming concession process

This streamlined process is available for low-impact guided walking in certain locations on conservation land. Permits are available for up to five years.

This is currently the only process where you can make an online application. It is quick, simple and inexpensive. If you are considering a guided walking or tramping concession check out Conforming concessions online first.

Conforming concessions online process

One-off concession process

This process is for low impact one-off activities, such as aircraft landings, guided trips, filming or small scale sporting events as well as short term trials to establish the commercial viability of an activity.

This process is only appropriate for an activity that:

• Has minor effects that can be managed (an assessment of effects is unnecessary as they are well understood)
• Complies with the relevant legislation, conservation management strategy and conservation management plans
• Has clearly defined limits (e.g. numbers of trips/landings to be authorised by the permit)
• Does not involve permanent structures
• Does not have a duration of more than 3 months
• Does not take place in the same location more than once in a 3 year period.

Non-notified concession process

This process is intended for applications which are likely to have minor effects. The application must be for:

• A permit or non-notified licence for a term of 10 years or less, or for a non-notified easement of up to 30 years
• An activity where the effects are minor and relatively well understood
• An activity which can be considered on a non-notified basis.

Notified concession process

The process is intended for applications that may have significant effects over the duration of the activity or for a term longer than 10 years.

An intention to grant these concessions is publicly notified due to either the potential effects of the proposed activity, the term applied for (more than 10 years) or the type of interest in the land. Primarily these activities are managed as licences and leases but may also be notified permits or easements.

The application must be for:

• A term of more than 10 years; and/or
• An activity requiring a lease or excluisve use of the land; and/or
• An activity and/or location where the likely effects of the activity are likely to have high/significant impacts, making the input of the public necessary; and/or
• A new activity, or an activity new to a site, where there is likely to be public interest or the effects are not easily predicted.

Multi-conservancy concessions

If you want to apply for an activity in more than one conservancy (DOC region) your application will be processed as a multi-conservancy concession under one of the processes above.

Lead conservancy

A lead conservancy will be appointed - it will be the DOC conservancy office which manages the land where most of your concession activity is proposed. It will process your application and make the decision on whether to grant your concession. The lead conservancy will also remain your point of contact for the term of your concession.

Limited opportunities

There are some parts of the country where "Limited Opportunities" have been established by DOC to manage places where demand for activities exceeds supply, such as kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park.

These places can't be included in a multi-conservancy concession. You must apply seperately for activity in these places.

How decisions are made

In considering whether or not to grant a concession our main concerns are that:

• The proposal is consistent with the purpose for which the land is held (eg we couldn't approve a supermarket in a national park)
• The proposal complies with, or is consistent with, the management plan or the conservation management strategy for the area (eg if the plan says no helicopter landings in an area then they can't be approved)
• There will be no significant adverse effects on the environment.

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