Department of Conservation | Te Papa Atawhai
https://www.doc.govt.nz/
https://www.doc.govt.nz/
Introduction
Have your say on an application by Precision Helicopters Limited for helicopter landings in Hokitika, West Coast. Submissions closed 19 August 2020.Submissions for this consultation closed 19 August 2020.
Reconsideration decision
April 2022: A decision was made about the reconsideration of the Mount Beaumont site.
Concession reconsideration report (PDF, 1,212K)
Aircraft activity | Applicant's reconsideration request: Revised daily landing limites proposed with | Reconsideration decision
| |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landing site name | Conservation area | Maximum per day | Maximum per year | Maximum per day | Maximum per year |
| Mount Beaumont | Wanganui/Otira Catchments Conservation Area | 3 | 300 per year (no change) | 3 | 300 per year with the addition of two special conditions* |
Changes to Special Conditions as a result of the reconsideration decision:
- Condition 61 is deleted.
- Two new conditions are added for the Mount Beaumont Site:
- If the Concessionaire views another ground party within 2 kilometres of the landing site, they must not land at the Mount Beaumont site.
- The Grantor will undertake a review on the 2nd and 4th anniversary of the concession on the effects of the activity on the on-ground recreationists.
Decision made
December 2021: A decision was made to grant a permit for regular landings for a 5 year term as shown in this table.
Aircraft activity term being sought is 10 years | Application Regular landings applied for – 3 or more landings per day and/or 21 or more landings per year | Decision Concession term of 5 years
| |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Landing site name | Conservation area | Maximum per day | Maximum per year | Maximum per day | Maximum per year |
| Miserable Ridge | Totara – Mikonui Forests Conservation Area | 3 | 150 | 3 | 75 |
| Mount Beaumont | Wanganui/ Otira Catchments Conservation Area | 5 | 300 | 2 | 150 – aircraft landing can only occur between 1 May and 30 September |
| Remarkable Peak | Wanganui/ Otira Catchments Conservation Area | 3 | 300 | 3 | 300 |
| Whataroa Glacier | Waitangi Forest | 3 | 300 | Site withdrawn | |
| Prices Flat | Wanganui/ Otira Catchments Conservation Area | 6 | 100 | 6 | 80 |
| Mount Greenland | Upper Totara Ecological Area | 4 | 100 | 4 | 100 |
Full details of the decision (PDF, 3,336K)
Please note that this decision is subject to a reconsideration application for the Mount Beaumont site. Once this reconsideration has been processed to a decision, the Reconsideration Report will also be put on the webpage for your information.
Submissions received
This application is notified under section 17SC of the Conservation Act 1987. The Minister of Conservation has received an application for a Permit for a term of 10 years.
Application details
Applicant: Precision Helicopters Limited
Location of Proposed Activity: Hokitika District, West Coast, South Island.
Map Reference:
- Miserable Ridge, Totara – Mikonui Forests, 5235685.9000 E 1434610.5000 N
- Mount Beamount, Wanganui/Otira Catchments, 5226180.6000 E 1431831.2000 N
- Remarkable Peak, Wanganui/Otira Catchments, 5230282.0000 E 1431661.0000 N
- Prices Flat, Wanganui/Otira Catchments, 5225476.9000 E 1438039.3000 N
- Whataroa Glacier, Waitangi Forest, 5191753.0000 E 1399398.0000 N
- Mount Greenland, Upper Totara Ecological Area, 5242431.0000 E 1422382.0000 N
Summary of Proposal:
Precision Helicopters Limited has applied for helicopter landings for the purpose of scenic flight landings in Hokitika. This includes six landing sites total in Wanganui/Otira Catchments, Totara-Mikonui Forests, Waitangi Forest, and Upper Totara Ecological Area.
Concession type: Permit
Application documents:
Be aware some documents submitted by the applicant have been withheld from the public domain. This is because they are not relevant for the assessment of the application.
These documents include Civil Aviation Authority certification and documentation, council resource consent and insurance certificates. Letters of support have also been withheld to mantain the privacy of the writers.
How to make a submission
Any person or organisation may make a submission in writing to the Director-General on the proposal.
Submissions closed 5 pm, Wednesday 19 August 2020.
1. Prepare your submission
Record what you think in the submission form.
Any person or organisation wishing to be heard at a possible hearing in support of their submission must request an opportunity to appear before the Director-General. This request must be included in your submission.
2. Send us your submission before 19 August 2020
Send your submission by email or post. You'll get a confirmation email or letter when a submission has been received.
Email: DNSubmissions@doc.govt.nz
On the emails subject line include “Precision Helicopters Limited submission”.
Post:
Director-General
Department of Conservation
Dunedin 9054
Level 1, John Wickliffe House
265 Princes Street
Dunedin 9016
Attention: Olivia Geddes, Senior Permissions Advisor
81956-AIR Precision Helicopters Limited
Submissions closed 5 pm, Wednesday 19 August 2020.
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, state this in writing when making your submission.
What happens next
After submissions close on 19 August 2020:
- DOC will analyse and consider all submissions.
- A hearing will be held if there have been requests to be heard by the Director-General. If a hearing is required, it’s likely to occur on a day between 7 and 11 September 2020. If you have expressed an interest in presenting your submission at a hearing, you'll be contacted by DOC regarding this.
- DOC will analyse and consider information raised at the hearing if a hearing occurred.
- DOC will make a recommendation to the Minister of Conservation.
- The Minister of Conservation will make a decision on the application by Precision Helicopters Limited.
Submissions received
All submissions combined (PDF, 9,700K)
Hearing details
A public hearing is going to be held at 9 am Monday 28 September 2020. This will be at the St John Rooms, 134 Stafford Street, Hokitika 7810.
Decision
No details at this point. Details, such as submissions and the decision outcome, will be added when they are available.
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.
Contact
If you have a question about the application or the submission process you can contact Olivia Geddes, Senior Permissions Advisor.
Email: ogeddes@doc.govt.nz