9. Accommodation and Related Facilities

Accommodation and related facilities in national parks, including additions and extensions and temporary shelters, for the benefit and enjoyment of the public, are provided primarily by the Department of Conservation. They may also be provided by other people and organisations.

A range of legislative provisions enables a person or body to establish buildings and facilities in a national park.

If the buildings are for accommodation purposes, they, together with any related facilities, require authorisation from the Minister under section 50 of the National Parks Act 1980. This includes dwellings for departmental officers and employees covered by section 50(1)(c) of the National Parks Act 1980. Such authorisations are not concessions under section 49 of the National Parks Act 1980.

If the building is a dwelling for persons or bodies carrying on any activity in a national park, a concession is required.

Buildings and facilities other than accommodation need to be authorised by way of a concession under section 49 of the National Parks Act 1980. These are covered in Chapter 10 of this General Policy.

The construction of tracks, public shelters, visitor centres, and other buildings necessary or desirable for carrying out the Department's functions must be in accordance with section 43 of the National Parks Act 1980.

Sections 117 to 120 of the Building Act 2004 set out the requirements for access for people with disabilities.

POLICIES

9 Accommodation and related facilities

9(a) Accommodation and related facilities in national parks may be allowed for public use, including accommodation provided by recreation clubs with open membership, and educational services that relate to national parks, consistent with outcomes planned for places.

9(b) Accommodation and related facilities in national parks, other than public accommodation provided by the Department, will require the authorisation of the Minister of Conservation, except for accommodation for the staff of a concessionaire, which will require a concession.

9(c) Any application for a concession or an authorisation to establish accommodation and related facilities will be consistent with the purposes of the National Parks Act 1980, any statutory purposes for which the place is held, and the national park management plan.

9(d) Any application for a concession or an authorisation to establish accommodation and related facilities in a place, 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 the national park; and
• ii) it cannot reasonably be built elsewhere in the national park where the potential adverse effects would be significantly less; and
• iii) the applicant cannot reasonably use or share an existing structure or facility.

9(e) All accommodation and related facilities, including replacements, additions and extensions and signage, in national parks should (unless otherwise provided for in an existing lease):

• i) be consistent with the outcomes planned for places;
• ii) minimise adverse effects on national park values and on the existing benefit, use and enjoyment of the public, including public access;
• iii) avoid proliferation of the built environment;
• iv) complement existing accommodation and related facilities;
• v) be located, designed, constructed and maintained to:

a) preserve a sense of naturalness; b) where possible, be close to other buildings; c) meet all legal requirements and standards; d) minimise risks from natural hazards; and e) avoid adverse effects on natural surface and underground waters and all water bodies;

• vi) be of such a scale, design and colour as to harmonise with the landscape and seascape;
• vii) provide for disabled people in places to the extent required by law; and
• viii) be available for use by the public.

9(f) The Department and all concessionaires should monitor the effects of the use of accommodation and related facilities on national park values and on the benefit and enjoyment of the public, including public access, to inform future management decisions.

9(g) New accommodation and related facilities, including encampments, for exclusive private use should not be permitted in national parks.

9(h) Existing private accommodation and related facilities, that are not authorised in accordance with section 50 of the National Parks Act 1980, should be phased out from national parks, in accordance with the conditions and timeframes set out in the conservation management strategy or national park management plan. They should be removed at the end of the phase-out period, unless retained by the Department for public use.

9(i) The Department should consult the relevant conservation board on all proposals for accommodation and related facilities provided by the Department for public and departmental use in national parks, including replacements, additions and extensions.

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