10. Accommodation and Related Facilities

Accommodation and related facilities, including additions and extensions and temporary shelters, on public conservation lands and waters are provided primarily by the Department of Conservation for the benefit and enjoyment of the public. They may also be provided by other people and organisations in some circumstances, including educational institutions, clubs with open membership policies and concessionaires. Accommodation and related facilities may also be constructed by the Department to enable it to carry out its functions.

POLICIES

10 Accommodation and Related Facilities

10 (a) Accommodation and related facilities on public conservation lands and waters may be allowed for public recreation, educational and community services, consistent with the outcomes planned for places.

10 (b) Accommodation and related facilities on public conservation lands and waters owned and occupied by people and organisations other than the Department, will require a concession.

10 (c) Any application for a concession will comply with, or be consistent with, the objectives of the relevant Act, the statutory purposes for which the place is held, and any relevant conservation management strategy or plan.

10 (d) Any application for a concession to provide accommodation or related facilities, or to extend or add to an existing structure or facility, should meet the following criteria:

• i. the accommodation or related facility cannot reasonably be located outside public conservation lands and waters;
• ii. it cannot reasonably be built elsewhere on public conservation lands and waters where the potential adverse effects would be significantly less; and
• iii. the applicant cannot reasonably use or share an existing structure or facility.

10 (e) All accommodation and related facilities including replacements, additions and extensions on public conservation lands and waters should:

• i. be consistent with the outcomes planned for places;
• ii. avoid or otherwise minimise adverse effects on natural resources and historical and cultural heritage, and on the benefit and enjoyment of the public, including public access;
• iii. complement and, wherever possible, be located close to existing accommodation and related facilities;
• iv. be located, designed, constructed and maintained to meet all legal requirements and standards;
• v. be of such a scale, design and colour that they harmonise with the landscape and seascape;
• vi. provide for disabled people in places where this is practicable; and
• vii. be available for use by the public.

10 (f) The Department and all concessionaires should monitor the effects of the use of accommodation and related facilities on natural resources and historical and cultural heritage, and on the benefit and enjoyment of the public, including public access, to inform future management decisions.

10 (g) New accommodation and related facilities, including encampments, on public conservation lands and waters, for exclusive private use should not be permitted.

10 (h) Existing private accommodation and related facilities, including encampments, on public conservation lands and waters will be phased out, except where specifically provided for or allowed in legislation, in accordance with the conditions and timeframes set out in any relevant concession or conservation management strategy or plan. They should be removed at the end of the phase-out period, unless retained by the Department for public use.

10 (i) A ground rental should be charged for existing private accommodation and related facilities, including campgrounds, on public conservation lands and waters.

10 (j) The Department should consult the relevant conservation board on all proposals for departmental accommodation and related facilities, including replacements, additions and extensions, on public conservation lands and waters.

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