An Australian company will take over the lease for three Upper Clutha campgrounds, as well as another two in Queenstown, after receiving Overseas Investment Office (OIO) approval. 

The OIO has granted consent for Hampshire Holiday Parks Ltd to acquire the lease for the Glendhu Motor Camp, Wānaka Lakeview Holiday Park, Albert Town Camp Ground, Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park, and Arrowtown Holiday Park.

Hampshire Holiday Parks Ltd has a portfolio of holiday parks across Australia in addition to a range of ‘independent living communities’ for over 50s.

The OIO decision states that the company “will continue to use the land as public camping grounds and holiday parks”. 

“It plans on upgrading the holiday parks by constructing cabins and refurbishing the rooms.”

The lease requires the leasee to “provide a traditional and simple ‘kiwi camping experience…that is financially feasible for all users.”

The company also plans to introduce environmental projects such as installation of energy saving features in cabins, rain water tanks and electric vehicle charging stations, the OIO said.

The badly-kept secret of the OIO application has had locals concerned about the future of the campgrounds - particularly Glendhu Bay’s iconic motor camp.

The Scaife family gifted the Glendhu Bay campground land in 1920 on the proviso it was to remain in perpetuity as ‘an affordable camp for everyday Kiwis’.

In its decision the OIO noted the public interest in the application, “particularly with regard to Glendhu Bay Motor Camp”.

“The decision-makers imposed a condition requiring the Applicant to conduct a public meeting about Glendhu Bay Motor Camp to discuss its operation to the campers,” it said. 

“The decision-makers also conditioned the applicant not to substantially alter the operations of Glendhu Bay Motor Camp.”

The Wānaka App obtained a copy of the lease for the camping grounds, which says Queenstown Lakes District Council (the landowner) has outsourced the camping grounds’ operations in a manner that “provides a traditional and simple ‘kiwi camping experience…that is financially feasible for all users.”

The lease ensures ongoing public access to Glendhu Bay, and requires council approval for any new buildings.

Read more: Assurances given that ‘classic Kiwi camping experience’ will be preserved

The OIO decision was made public on June 10.

IMAGES: Supplied