Investigation of DOC renewal of Routeburn Track concession

Summary

In my opinion the decision in 2013 of a Department of Conservation delegate of the Minister of Conservation – to grant a new concession to Routeburn Walks Ltd, on terms permitting the concessionaire to increase from 24 to 40 the number of its overnight guided walkers entering the Routeburn Track each day – was unreasonable.  The decision flew in the face of the limits set in the newly promulgated Mt Aspiring Plan.  There had been a careful and extensive public consultative process and general endorsement of the provisions of the new Plan. As the complainant states, the decision to approve the increase in overnight guided walker numbers makes a “mockery” of the process of public consultation in the development of the Plan and undermines public participation.