Applications for Short-Term Temporary Operators

People wishing to operate short-term, temporary, commercial activities on council-owned parks and reserves, may need a licence.

Key attributes are:

• Short-term in nature (often intermittent or short-term use over a season)
• Temporary and nothing remains on the park or reserve overnight
• When the activity isn’t operating the area is available for park users’ recreation and enjoyment.

This includes activities run by local businesses, not-for-profit organisations and charities.

These activities should relate to the purpose of the park or reserve and increase its use and enjoyment.

Note that the following activities are excluded from this process:

• Those which support a formal Council-approved event booking and are included as part of the event booking process (e.g., food carts supporting Tahuna Summer Sounds or New Year’s Eve Countdown in the City). Click here to find out more information.
• Those proposed for mountain bike shuttling, guiding and coaching. Click here to find out more information.

Examples of short-term temporary licences include

• Mobile food carts selling consumables (drinks, ice-creams)
• Recreational equipment hire where equipment is stored off-site when equipment is not being hired.

Application Assessment Criteria

A panel of three Nelson City Council staff will initially assess all applications.

The panel will use the following criteria to decide whether to support applications and to what extent the application demonstrates:

• That the activity is for a short-term temporary activity (and not a lease), including
  • Use is intermittent or short-term (seasonal) in nature (often trading for a small proportion of the agreed operating hours)
  • The activity doesn’t prohibit other park and reserve users from occupying the same area when the concession is not operating
  • Nothing remains on the park or reserve overnight
• That the activity is consistent with Council’s policies and objectives
  • The activity is consistent with the objectives and policies of the relevant reserve management plan
  • Where there isn’t a reserve management plan the activity is consistent with relevant provisions of the Reserves Act 1977
• Where there isn’t a reserve management plan and the park isn’t subject to the Reserves Act, the activity is consistent with the primary purpose of the park outlined in the Categories for Nelson Parks and Reserves (see below)
• There is a level of unmet need for the activity
  • The activities provide for a demonstrated need that isn’t already provided for by the surrounding businesses that are within close proximity to the park or reserve
  • Where multiple concessions are proposed in a single park or a reserve, the offering of activities is diverse
• The activity has a clear association with the purpose, use and enjoyment of the park or reserve
• Participation and use of parks and reserves
  • The estimated participation levels for the proposed activity are adequate and there is a likelihood that the number and diversity of users will be increased

Feasibility

• Adequate feasibility research has been undertaken.
• The proposed activity has (or will seek) all required consents and approvals to operate, which may include:
  • resource consents
  • food safety and beverage licenses
  • electrical certificate
  • LPG installation certificate – from a registered gasfitter
  • vehicle registrations and warrants of fitness
  • Health and Safety Management Plan

Where applicants need resource consent for an activity, it is advisable to talk to the Parks Team early to determine whether or not the proposed activity is consistent with Council’s current plans and policies.

A reliable track record

• Applicants have a reliable positive track record (demonstrated through references and referees).
• Prior performance of applicants will be taken into account where they have operated concessions on Council land.