GW removes park fees for community groups

Greater Wellington is making it easier for community groups to use regional parks and forests for organised activities by removing concession fees for most non-commercial activities.

"We want to see more clubs, schools and other groups make the most of recreational opportunities in our parks and forests. A fee waiver for non-commercial groups with fewer than 150 participants is a great way to encourage this," says Parks, Forests and Utilities Committee Chairman Rex Kirton.

The change is part of Greater Wellington's new concessions policy, which went out for public consultation last year. Previously, all activities within the parks that were over and above general casual use were charged a concession fee.

To make organising these events easier, Greater Wellington has also introduced a "streamlined concession" which is now processed by its park rangers. Previously, all applications had to be processed at its Wellington office.

"We've noticed that many organisers of community events have been put off by the cost and what they see as bureaucratic processes. Sometimes they haven't bothered to get a concession at all," says Greater Wellington Parks Manager Murray Waititi. "We hope this encourages people to talk to the park rangers and get a concession for their events. Doing this will ensure that their activity or event will go ahead with support from Parks' staff."

Greater Wellington considers activities that will not gain or generate profit from the regional parks and forests to be non-commercial. Non-commercial activities with less than 150 participants will not be charged a concession fee, provided they're assessed as having a low impact on the area concerned.

Non-commercial activities with over 150 participants will be charged a $50 concession application fee and in some cases, an activity fee. All commercial activities will be charged a concession fee and an activity fee for each participant.

Greater Wellington's park network includes Belmont Regional Park, East Harbour Regional Park, the Wainuiomata Recreation Area, Kaitoke Regional Park, Battle Hill Farm Forest Park, Queen Elizabeth Park, and the Akatarawa and Pakuratahi forests.

See Greater Wellington's website for more information: www.gw.govt.nz/concessions.