Fort Stony Batter Heritage Park Limited

Introduction

Have your say on an application by Fort Stony Batter Heritage Park Limited for a lease concession at Fort Stony Batter Historic Reserve. Submissions close

This application is notified under section 17SC of the Conservation Act 1987. The Minister of Conservation has received an application for a 20-year lease concession.

Application details

Applicant

Fort Stony Batter Heritage Park Limited

Location of proposed activity

Fort Stony Batter Historic Reserve

Map reference

Approximately NZTM: 1794040, 5929271

Summary of proposal

Fort Stony Batter Heritage Park Limited (FSBHPL) is applying to develop Fort Stony Batter (FSB) Historic Reserve as a regional destination activity for cultural and educational purposes for domestic and international visitors.

FSB Land Reserve is (provisionally) to be open from 10:00 to 16:00, 7 days a week in summer, with reduced winter hours. The application requests permission for the following activities:

Guiding (over land) – To establish walking tracks over the site. The tracks will be linked to archaeological, ecological and geological features of interest, to educate the public. Tracks will be established with a superficial layer of soil across the reserve and through the forest.

Guiding (through tunnel system) – To established guided tours through FSB tunnel system for groups of 25 to 30 (per tour). To establish self-guided tour options for visitors by 2020.

Historic War Shelters and Gun Pits to be repurposed. Any modifications to the shelters/pits (such as lighting, PV lumps, utilities) will be removeable and not damage the historic value of the site.

  • Shelter 1 – Overnight staff accommodation. Storage Facility. Install furniture and utilities for staff.
  • Shelter 2 – Ticketing Office. Museum/Exhibition of FSB. Install furniture and utilities for visitors and staff.
  • Shelter 3 – Picnic area/self-serve café. Install furniture and utilities for visitors and staff.
  • Gun Pit 1 – Install (removeable) wooden bench. Use pit to host stargazing/astronomy tours.
  • Gun Pit 2 – Install (removeable) outdoor wooden bench to accommodate up to 40 people. Membrane weather style protection over pit (removeable).
  • Gun Pit 3 – Exhibition space of heavy machinery/artefacts.

Short Stay Accommodation in Magazine 1 – accommodation for special interest groups/educational groups/visitor groups (up to 20 people max). Incorporation of furniture and utilities (removeable) for guests staying overnight.

Ancillary Storage – establishment of 2 temporary (removeable) storage sheds for a 15 year period.

Astronomy Tours – hosting astronomy tours at the site during the evening.

Research Schools for Scientific Research – to allow educational institutions to visit the site to undertaken research to study archaeology, geology, biology/ecology, architecture/engineering at the site. Research can assist in better understanding the cultural and ecological significance of the site. Information with visitors and the local community.

Grazing – to allow sheep to graze 4 paddocks and one unfenced section to assist with weed mitigation. Areas of remnant bush sections to be fenced off to protect from sheep.

How to submit

Any person or organisation may make a submission in writing to the Director-General on the proposal. The submission must be made on a submission form downloaded here or available from your local DOC office. 

Comment submisstion form (Word, 237K)

You may make a submission by sending a written or electronic submission to:

Director-General
Department of Conservation
Private Bag 3072
Hamilton 3240 

Attention: B Sheppard

Email: permissionshamilton@doc.govt.nz

Submissions close on Thursday 27 September 2018 at 4 pm. Once submitted, submitters' information is subject to the Official Information Act 1982 and may be released under that Act. If you wish to keep any part of your submission confidential, you need to state this in writing when making your submission.

Any person or organisation wishing to be heard in support of his/her submission, must request (within that submission) an opportunity to appear before the Director-General.

DOC comment regarding publicly notified applications

The Minister of Conservation has made no determination regarding the suitability of this proposed concession on public conservation land.  This public notification should not be interpreted as an intention on the part of the Minister of Conservation to grant the proposed concession.  

Hearing details

If a hearing is required, it is likely to occur on the week starting 9 October 2018.

Application document

Information pack (PDF, 384K)