Private or commercial structures
Introduction
To build or use a private or commercial facility or structure on public conservation land you must have a concession from DOC. This includes building an information centre, erecting a weather station or constructing or leasing a private or commercial campground.Find out what concession you will need and how to apply for one below.
Pre-application meeting
Applying for a concession for the first time can be a little tricky. To ensure your application goes smoothly we offer a free pre-application meeting. We’ll also help you contact the local iwi to assess whether your proposed activity will have any cultural effects.
Type of concession
Depending on what you want to do and when and how you want to do it, you will either need a one-off concession or a longer term concession.
- One-off concession – to build a temporary structure or use a private or commercial facility or structure for a period of no longer than three months.
As well as complying with all relevant legislation and conservation plans or strategies your planned activity must:
- have only minor environmental effects that can easily be managed
- have clearly defined limits (ie number of landings)
- not involve permanent structures
- not take place in the same location more than once in any three year period.
- Longer term concession – to build or use a private or commercial facility or structure for a period of longer than three months.
Your DOC advisor will advise you what concession you will need in your pre-application meeting.
Apply for your concession
Delays in processing
We currently have a backlog of applications. We're working hard to prioritise older and urgent applications. If you have any concerns contact permissions@doc.govt.nz.
Follow the relevant process below for your application.
One-off activity
- Fill in the applicant information form 1b – one off process (PDF, 189K) or (Word, 354K).
- Fill in the concession application form 3b (private/commercial facility/structures) (PDF, 69K) or (Word, 341K).
- Email the forms along with the relevant documents requested to permissions@doc.govt.nz.
Identify the name and status of the public conservation land you wish to use by checking DOC maps.
We will invoice you once we have processed your application. Your fee is likely to be $130 plus GST ($146.50 including GST). Your application should be processed within ten working days of receipt. The timeframe may be longer where iwi consultation is required.
If your application is approved we will send you a contract which you must sign and return before proceeding with your activity.
You will also be required to pay ongoing concession fees.
Longer term activity
- Fill in the applicant information form 1a – notified or non-notified process (PDF, 196K) or (Word, 372K).
- Fill in the concession application form 3b (private/commercial facility/structures) (PDF, 69K) or (Word, 341K).
- Email the forms along with the relevant documents requested to permissions@doc.govt.nz.
Identify the name and status of the public conservation land you wish to use by checking DOC maps.
Your application should be processed within 55 working days of receipt for simple applications. It can be up to 120 working days if a hearing is required.
We will invoice you once we have processed your application. The processing fee for a standard application is likely to be $2,065 plus GST ($2,374.75 including GST). If your application is assessed as complex, covers multiple regions, or includes more than 20 individual locations, this fee is likely to be higher. We will send you an estimate of costs once we have received your application.
Your application may need to be notified to the public, either because you want exclusive use of conservation land or because there are likely to be significant environmental effects of the activity. If your application is notified, your processing fee will include the cost of public notification and hearings required. The processing fee is likely to be between $3,500 and $5,500 plus GST. We will advise you of the estimated processing costs and timeframe once we have received your application.
If your application is approved we will send you a contract which you must sign and return before proceeding with your activity.
Ongoing fees
If you are operating a longer term activity you will also be required to pay ongoing concession fees and activity fees.
If the activity fees for your concession are not covered below your fee will be based on a percentage of your revenue. See percentage of revenue activity fee for more information.
Environmental Impact Assessment
As part of your application you will need to complete a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
Contact us
For more information or assistance with your concession contact the nearest of these DOC offices.