The Department of Conservation has renewed Dart River Jet Safaris Ltd's concession in the Mount Aspiring National Park for a 20-year term.
Doc Wakatipu area manager Greg Lind said the concession was for the company to undertake guided jet-boat trips into the national park, entering on the Dart River/Te Awa Whakatipu near Sandy Bluff and at the bottom of the Beansburn and Rockburn side valleys.
Passenger transfers took place at the Chinamans Bluff road end, as well as short guided walks there and in the Beansburn.
''The Dart River Jet experience is a world-class experience with an emphasis on interpreting the conservation values of Mount Aspiring National Park to their customers.
''As such, we are very pleased to see the Dart River Jet Safaris operation continue,'' Mr Lind said.
Ten submissions were received on the concession renewal - all in opposition.
Mr Lind said the opposition centred on the effects of jet-boat wake at Kinloch and the river banks of the Dart generally. However, only effects occurring to public conservation lands were able to be considered.
Expert advice determined the effects of jet-boat wake to park values were ''not significant'' compared to the effects of periodic natural flood events.
The 2011 Mount Aspiring National Park Management Plan also had specific conditions regarding the number of people able to be guided per day and the hours of operation and those had been reflected in the conditions of renewal.
''Outside of the concession and as part of an ongoing relationship Dart River Jet Safaris have installed new public toilets in both the Beansburn and the Rockburn,'' Mr Lind said.
Company operations manager Callan Grimmer said the firm was ''very pleased'' with the outcome.
''It gives us the certainty to develop our products while recognising the shared use of the Dart for jet-boats and other visitors.''
