Whakapapa Application
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Ruapehu Alpine Lifts Ltd Whakapapa Ski Area, Mt Ruapehu Application for Licence Renewal Proposal Outline and Environmental Impact Assessment 2011-057AP4 24 October 2014 Ruapehu Alpine Lifts Limited Whakapapa Ski Area, Mt Ruapehu Application for Licence Renewal Proposal Outline and Environmental Impact Assessment Prepared by: Ella Tennent-Bacher Cheal Consultants Senior Planner Reviewed and Approved for Release by: Cameron Drury Cheal Consultants Hawkes Bay Manager Date: 24 October 2014 Previous Issue: 10 April 2014 Reference: 2011-057AP4 Status: Final This document is the property of Cheal Consultants Limited.Any unauthorised employment or reproduction, in full or part is forbidden. This document has been prepared for a specific purpose for the above client and shall not be used for any other unauthorised purpose. Cheal Consultants Limited does not acknowledge any duty of care or responsibility to any other party. © Cheal Consultants Limited 2 / 46 Ruapehu Alpine Lifts Ltd :: Whakapapa Ski Area, Mt Ruapehu :: Application for Licence Renewal 2011-057AP4 :: Prepared by Cheal Consultants Limited :: 24 October 2014 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY............................................................................................................................... 6 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................ 7 2. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSAL ........................................................................................................... 7 2.1 Current Licence...............................................................................................................................................7 2.2 Proposed Licence and Lease ......................................................................................................................8 2.3 Licence and Lease Areas .......................................................................................................................... 10 2.4 Licence Term ................................................................................................................................................ 10 2.5 Preferential Right to Apply ......................................................................................................................... 11 2.6 Planned Upgrades and Replacements .................................................................................................. 12 2.7 Removal of Redundant Structures ........................................................................................................... 15 3. RUAPEHU ALPINE LIFTS LTD............................................................................................................. 16 3.1 History of RAL................................................................................................................................................. 16 3.2 Company Structure and Key Personnel .................................................................................................. 16 3.3 RAL Aspirations ............................................................................................................................................. 18 3.4 Financial Performance................................................................................................................................ 19 4. SITE DESCRIPTION........................................................................................................................... 20 4.1 World Heritage Status.................................................................................................................................. 20 4.2 Cultural Values ............................................................................................................................................. 20 4.3 Physical Attributes........................................................................................................................................ 22 4.4 Structures and Built Form ............................................................................................................................ 22 4.5 Slope Capacity ............................................................................................................................................ 23 4.6 Natural Values .............................................................................................................................................. 23 4.7 Servicing......................................................................................................................................................... 24 4.8 History of Whakapapa ................................................................................................................................ 24 5. CONSULTATION.............................................................................................................................. 25 5.1 Department of Conservation .................................................................................................................... 25 5.2 Tāngata Whenua ......................................................................................................................................... 25 5.3 Tongariro/Taupõ Conservation Board ..................................................................................................... 25 5.4 Ruapehu Mountain Clubs .......................................................................................................................... 26 6. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT ....................................................................................... 26 6.1 General Assessment .................................................................................................................................... 26 6.2 Cultural Values ............................................................................................................................................. 26 6.3 Landscape Values....................................................................................................................................... 28 6.4 Ecological Values ........................................................................................................................................ 30 6.5 Recreational Values .................................................................................................................................... 32 6.6 Social and Economic Effects..................................................................................................................... 33 6.7 Public Safety ................................................................................................................................................. 34 6.8 Climate Change .......................................................................................................................................... 35 6.9 Quality of Visitor Experience ...................................................................................................................... 36 6.10 Summary of Effects ...................................................................................................................................... 36 7. POLICY ........................................................................................................................................... 37 8. CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................. 38 3 / 46 Ruapehu Alpine Lifts Ltd :: Whakapapa Ski Area, Mt Ruapehu :: Application for Licence Renewal 2011-057AP4 :: Prepared by Cheal Consultants Limited :: 24 October 2014 Appendices – 1. Licence Area Plan. 2. Policy Assessment, Cheal Consultants, October 2014. 3. Assessment of Landscape and Visual Effects, LA4, January 2014. 4. Ecological Assessment of the Whakapapa Ski Area, Nicholas Singers Ecological Solutions, December 2013. 5. Economic Reports – Price Waterhouse Coopers 2014 and NZ Tourism Research Institute, Auckland University of Technology, Mt Ruapehu Ski-fields: An Economic Impact Study, March 2002. 6. Letter of support from Ruapehu Mountain Clubs Association. 7. IUCN reports (1990 and 1993) 4 / 46 Ruapehu Alpine Lifts Ltd :: Whakapapa Ski Area, Mt Ruapehu :: Application for Licence Renewal 2011-057AP4 :: Prepared by Cheal Consultants Limited :: 24 October 2014 APPLICATION DETAILS Authority: Minister of Conservation The Applicant: Ruapehu Alpine Lifts Ltd (RAL) Address for Service: Cheal Consultants Limited, PO Box 165, Taupo 3351 Address for Invoice: Ruapehu Alpine Lifts Ltd, Private Bag, Mt Ruapehu Site Details: Street Address ..............................................Bruce Road, Tongariro National Park Legal Description.........................................Ruapehu 1B and Ruapehu 1A Computer Freehold Register......................WN135/99 Activity for which a concession is sought: A concession (licence and lease) is sought by RAL to continue to operate the Whakapapa Ski Area. 5 / 46 Ruapehu Alpine Lifts Ltd :: Whakapapa Ski Area, Mt Ruapehu :: Application for Licence Renewal 2011-057AP4 :: Prepared by Cheal Consultants Limited :: 24 October 2014 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL) have developed and operated the Whakapapa Ski Area since 1953 and are now seeking a new, and third, licence to continue operation of recreational and tourism activities on the terrain within the current ski area