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General Policy for National Parks - POLICIES 8.6 Vehicles and other forms of transport

POLICIES 8.6 Vehicles and other forms of transport

8.6(a) A national park management plan should specify where the use of vehicles and any other forms of transport may be allowed:

  • i) consistent with the outcomes planned for places; and
  • ii) where adverse effects on national park values, including natural quiet, can be minimised.

8.6(b) Policies 8.6(c) to 8.6(m), below, will need to be considered in conjunction with policy 8.6(a), above.

Powered aircraft (including, but not limited to, fixed-wing, ultra-light and model airplanes, helicopters and gyrocopters):

8.6(c) The landing, hovering and take-off of aircraft may be authorised where this is consistent with the outcomes planned for a place, is provided for in the relevant national park management plan and is consistent with policies 10.6(a) to 10.6(h).

Powered watercraft (including, but not limited to, runabouts, launches, hovercraft, cruisers, personal watercraft (e.g. jet skis), and powered sailing craft):

8.6(d) Jet skis and other powered personal watercraft should not be used in national parks.

8.6(e) A national park management plan may provide for other powered watercraft, where this is consistent with the outcomes planned for places.

Powered vehicles (including, but not limited to, automobiles, motorcycles, motorised bicycles and trail bikes, snow-mobiles, beach vehicles, and hovercraft):

8.6(f) Powered vehicles should not be taken into or used in national parks except on roads formed and maintained for vehicle use, and on routes specifically approved for use by a specified type of powered vehicle in a national park management plan.

Non-powered vehicles (including, but not limited to, all non-motorised cycles and mountain bikes):

8.6(g) Non-powered vehicles should not be ridden or otherwise used in national parks except on roads formed and maintained for vehicle use, and on routes specifically approved for use by specified types of non-powered vehicle in a national park management plan.

8.6(h) Roads and routes may be approved for the use of a specified type of non-powered vehicle only where:

  • i) adverse effects on national park values can be minimised;
  • ii) the track standard is suitable; and
  • iii) the benefit, use and enjoyment of other people can be protected.

8.6(i) A national park management plan will identify measures to manage the approved use of specified types of non-powered vehicles that should be taken to:

  • i) minimise any adverse effects (including cumulative effects) on national park values; and
  • ii) protect the experiences of, and avoid creating hazards for, others.

8.6(j) Measures to manage the use of a specified type of non-powered vehicle approved for use in a national park may include, but are not limited to:

  • i) trial periods;
  • ii) restricted seasons;
  • iii) limits on numbers;
  • iv) one-way flow; and
  • v) adherence to a nationally recognised user code.

8.6(k) A national park management plan should identify monitoring requirements for the use of specified types of non-powered vehicles and specify what actions should be taken if adverse effects arise, including the possibility of use no longer being allowed.

Non-powered aircraft (including, but not limited to, gliding, hang-gliding, parapenting, hot-air ballooning, model gliders and kites):

8.6(l) A national park management plan may provide for use of non-powered aircraft, where this is consistent with the outcomes planned for a place.

Non-powered watercraft (including, but not limited to, sailing boats of all types and sizes, windsurfers or sailboards, waka, rowboats, canoes, kayaks (including sea-kayaks), and rafts):

8.6(m) A national park management plan may provide for use of non-powered watercraft, where this is consistent with the outcomes planned for a place.

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