People, organisations and businesses seek DOC’s permission to carry out activity on conservation land or waters, which we approve or decline.

We receive around 2,000 applications each year.

This page is a snapshot of applications we have completed, including for sectors: tourism, research and collection, and mining.

You can find information about our targets for timeliness on our page about how long it takes to process an application.

2025 permissions data

Sectors 

Tourism applications refer to aircraft, accommodation, attractions, events, guiding, marine mammal watching and ski fields.

Research and collection applications refer to collecting flora activities, collecting geological samples, marine mammal research, research and scientific research.

 Mining applications refer to: 

• coal – open cast
• gold alluvial, exploration, open cast, prospecting, suction dredging, underground
• gravel exploration, open cast
• metallic mineral – exploration, prospecting
• rock – open cast, prospecting. 

All data correct as of 30 June 2025. Categorisations may change as permissions are processed.

Returned means sent back to the applicant due to incomplete information and withdrawn means the applicant decided to withdraw the application.

This is live operational data and may change slightly as updates are made.