Conditional approval for recreation permit granted to Kiwi Waterpark

Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) has today granted conditional approval to the Kiwi Waterpark for a one-year recreation permit to operate a waterpark on Lake Dunstan.

LINZ Head of Crown Property Sonya Wikitera says a recreation permit was granted allowing Kiwi Waterpark to operate over the 2020-21 and 2021-22 summer seasons. However, traffic safety concerns slowed down processing the water park’s permit application for the 2022-23 season. 

An assessment of traffic at the site over the 2021-2022 summer season concluded that, based on the volume of traffic accessing the site, turning bays were required to ensure safe and efficient access from the state highway.

The report indicated that the amount of traffic accessing the site generally is an issue, apportioning about one-third of this to the waterpark. 

Works that need to be undertaken to ensure safety at the popular multi-use recreation site are now in development.

Waka Kotahi is acting on behalf of LINZ to project manage a right-turning bay off the state highway.  

The approval of a recreation permit to the Kiwi Waterpark for 2022-23 season is conditional on the operator meeting outstanding consent conditions set down by the Central Otago District Council.  

A recreation permit will not be provided by LINZ until conditions are met in full. 

All agencies are working hard to ensure traffic safety at this popular multi-use site that is well used by the local community and visitors to the region.

LINZ is responsible for the lakebed, and adjacent Lowburn camping area and boat ramp, on behalf of the Crown. 

LINZ assesses recreation permit applications for proposed use of Crown land on a case-by-case basis. This includes consulting with various third parties, assessing other activities in the area, and – if required – ensuring it has a valid resource consent from the respective local council.