Commercial Operators Licence

Licence category where an operator only requires one site of operation for their business with a fixed base or operational set up including and not limited to the temporary installation of awnings, tents, structures and signage. For example, a food and beverage trailer placed on a single reserve with signage and tables that is removed from the reserve at the end of each day. 

Licence category where an operator requires more than one site of operation for the business with a fixed base or operational set up including and not limited to the temporary installation of awnings, tent, structures and signage. For example, a watercraft hire business that has two bases of operation on different reserves with an awning and signage that is removed at the end of each business day. Or a food and beverage operation that requires two fixed locations to allow for varied weather conditions and sets up a fixed base or operational set up which is removed at the end of the business day.

Licence category that allows operators to trial a new business undertaking over a 12-month period. For example, a new operator to the area wants to trial a food and beverage cart to see if it will be viable. OR an existing operator wants to add to their existing offer with a different activity such as a water-based activity offering a food and beverage service and wishes to test the viability of this offering.

Application packs can be found on the Thames-Coromandel District Council website or alternatively you can collect an application pack from any of our service centres. 

Any commercial operator wishing to utilise a Council-owned reserve to operate their business must apply for a licence to do so. This ensures that the proposed activity, food and beverage cart, or similar aligns with Council’s plans to enhance the utilisation and maintain shared access of reserve land. A map of the designated locations and number of available licences per site is included in the application package above.

The licensing process is now a weighted tender model where applications are scored against a set of criteria designed to ensure that operators will meet the conditions of their licence through a number of agreed priorities. The criteria include enhancing the visitor experience and relevance to site, track record and relevant experience of the operator, cultural and environmental appropriateness and tendered price to be paid for the licence.

A weighted tender is a process by which each applicant will be assessed against a set of criteria and given a score based on the importance to council.  Each criteria has a percentage weighting – Enhancement of visitor experience and relevance to site (40%), track record and relevant experience (25%), price (20%) and cultural and environmental appropriateness (15%). 

Commercial licences to operate on Council Reserve land will now be valid for a period of up to 9 years. The licence is subject to a 3 year right of renewal clause so that a formal check-in can be completed and both Council and the operator can ensure that the conditions of the licence are still relevant and applicable to the operation.

During the 9-year period of your licence, every three years there will be a formal opportunity to discuss the conditions of your licence and make any updates that may be required. If there are no required changes then you will only need to renew once every 9 years.

Licences cover all areas of the Thames-Coromandel district. The locations are split by community board area and there are a number of licences in each area available for different activities. A full list of the licence types and quantity available is included in the licence application pack.

There are four types of licence available – single site, multiple site, transitory site and start-up. Each licence type is explained in the following FAQs with examples of how these categories work. 

Yes, you can based on the needs of your operation. For example, you may have a main operational base for your business, however you require additional access across reserves in unfavourable weather conditions without setting up a fixed base. In this instance you would need to apply for a Single site and Transitory licence stating in your application which is the main site of operation and which are the transitory sites. This is done in the price part of your application where you can note your main site and the transitory sites. 

No, applications for all licence types can now be completed in the one form. You can even apply for different categories in the one form.

Licence fees are now subject to a tendered process. The application form notes an indicative range and applicants are encouraged to price their tender accordingly.

Each application is evaluated by a panel with representatives from Thames-Coromandel District Council and an independent advisor. Each tender is evaluated against a set of objective criteria with each section of the tender weighted according to the importance of each aspect to Thames-Coromandel District Council.

All tenders will be evaluated in May 2025 and final decisions communicated in June 2025.

Once you have received confirmation that your tender is successful (June 2025), have paid your annual license fee and received your license. It is anticipated that all trading can begin as of 1 July 2025.

Licences are now fully transferable as part of the sale process. Should you sell your business ,the prospective buyer can be informed of the period remaining on the licence. The prospective buyer will still need to supply Thames-Coromandel District Council with the required information that all licences are required to supply as a part of the application process.

Each reserve has a clearly outlined number of licences allocated. Licences may also be split based on the activities that the reserve can support. This is to ensure that operators are not competing against multiple suppliers of the same activity in the same area. Also to ensure that visitors can enjoy a variety of activities and food and beverage options across the Thames-Coromandel District.

No, as a transitory licence is only for the collection or dropping off of clients, this can exist alongside a full licence for a location as the impact should be minimal and temporary with no operational set up.