DoC charges upset camp manager

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 503, 14 September 1993, Page 1

DoC charges upset camp manager

Motor camp operator Noel Shepherd is angry at what he sees as a government-funded business which doesn't have to obey the same laws as other camp ground operators, set up in competition with his. He is angry because the Department of Conservation is charging people a nightly fee for staying at the Mangawhero Camp area, off the Ohakune Mountain Road. The camping area, inside the Tongariro National Park boundary, is a large open area of several hectares which is kept mown. Services are basic, consisting of a toilet block, some barbecue areas and running water (untreated). "DoC does not have to pay local body rates on the area and is not required to follow fire, safety or health guidelines," said Mr Shepherd. "DoC is taking advantage of its position to undercut other accommodation suppliers in the area in order to make a fmancial success of the venture." He asked what sort of reaction would be likely if DoC was to build a 2000 bed hotel complex at the base of Turoa Ski Resort. "They'reusing my taxes to setup inopposition to me - that's noton." Ohakune Field Centre manager Don Bogie confirmed that DoC was

introducing an honesty user-pays system for campers using the area. He said the charge was $4 per night per person, and that there would be rules limiting the number of nights stayed. "It's a similar system to those already in place in various parts of the country - such as Coromandel Peninsula." A similar system is to be introduced at the Mangahuia camping area between National Park and the Chateau turn-off. "It is part of the department's policy to bring these areas into line, where users can help support the cost of the facility. Mr Bogie said rather than develop the area, as suggested by Mr Shepherd, the department would be retaining the present level of services and reducing the area which he said was far too big for present use and expensive to maintain. A planting programme is planned to retum part of the area to native forest. "Under the National Parks Act it is not really appropriate to have such a large area of mown grass in the park." He said DoC was not coveredby the Camping Ground Regulations 1985, which were cited by Mr Shepherd as not being met by the department.