Access/easements
Introduction
To obtain access across public conservation land for your business or private property you must have a concession from DOC. This is known as an easement and includes activities such as conveying electricity, telecommunications, water and gas or right of way for vehicles or stock.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 advise you to contact us to have a pre-application meeting. We’ll help you to:
- understand the concession you will need to apply for
- navigate our statutory planning documents, so you can consider whether the activity you wish to undertake is consistent with them
- understand DOC’s responsibility to give effect to the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi, which requires consultation with Treaty Partners on most applications. If you wish, DOC can help you contact the local iwi, hapū, and whānau to assess whether your proposed activity will have any cultural effects. Often this consultation can enhance the activity you are considering.
Apply for your concession
Follow the process below:
Fill in:
Easement application form (PDF, 431K) or (Word, 104K)
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.
Find out more about the process and how to prepare your application.
Permissions application process
Preparing a permission application
If your application is approved we will send you a contract which you must sign and return before proceeding with your activity.
Environmental Impact Assessment
As part of your application you will need to complete a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
Timeframe
Complex applications could take a number of months to be processed. Your application may be considered complex if it needs an in-depth assessment of the environmental effects. For example, applications for multiple sites/activities, unusual activities or sensitive locations. In this case you will be provided with an estimated cost and timeframe after you have submitted your application.
How long it takes to process an application
Fees
We will invoice you once we have processed your application.
The processing fee for a standard application is likely to be $2065 plus GST ($2374.75 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.
You will also be required to pay ongoing concession and activity fees.
Contact us
For more information or assistance with your concession contact the nearest of these DOC offices.