Waihī mine campsite faces scrutiny as council weighs renewal

An international mining giant's temporary camp-site in Waihī is up for renewal.

Hauraki District Council staff have recommended granting OceanaGold Corporation a five-year Licence to Occupy (LTO), with councillors set to make a decision on the proposal on Wednesday.

Located in the Waihī area and housing ten-to-fifteen staff at a 95% occupancy rate, the campsite was constructed under a previous LTO granted in 2021.

The previous LTO was referred to the Court of Appeal after environmental group Ours Not Mines Ltd challenged the council's authority to grant OceanaGold a 40-year licence to occupy an unformed, council-owned paper road to install mining ventilation shafts.

The licence was ruled unlawful in April, meaning the campsite now also requires a renewal.

"The campsite was constructed under the previous LTO and is already in place and operational," according to the council agenda.

"When considering the Court of Appeal's decision, the proposed LTO is less likely to constitute a public nuisance than the LTO considered in Ours Not Mines Ltd, the distinction is relatively narrow and the position remains nuanced."

The campsite's area is "only accessible by helicopter and then a trek on foot", so it would be unexpected to see "more than a handful of people" trekking past the camp within a five year period, the agenda said.

A three-month termination clause would also be attached to the grant, with litigation by a third party included as a reason to terminate.

"The Court confirmed that council can grant licences over roads, including for private or commercial purposes, provided the occupation does not appreciably interfere with the public's right of passage," the agenda said.

A decision to grant the LTO to the campsite is likely to bring heavy public scrutiny and controversy given the level of community interest.

The mine is no stranger to public outcry.

In February, conservation group Forest & Bird appealed the Fast-Tracked decision to allow construction on OceanaGold's Waihī North Project, citing the risk to native wildlife.

More recently, Local Democracy Reporting reported Waihī North locals forced to drive on the other side of the road on State Highway 25 due to rapid road degradation caused, in part, by the construction of a new portal opening off Willows Road.

Hauraki District Council mayor Toby Adams was approached for comment, but declined.

The recommended option outlines approval of a renewable five-year lease based on the current footprint for the existing campsite.

Any further extensions "will be based on the licensee (OceanaGold) submitting a formal request and the council going through a formal resolution process to accept or decline", the agenda said.

The other two options included declining the LTO and forcing the campsite to be removed, or approve on the basis the site takes on a reduced footprint.

"Oceana could apply for an extension after 5 years which council will consider at the time of such application. Any legal fees incurred by council as a result of granting this LTO to be borne by the licensee."