Alpine Carrying Capacity Framework

5.1 Introduction

5.1.1 Purpose

The purpose of this Carrying Capacity Framework (CCF) is to provide operators, developers and regulatory authorities with key details and a framework of operational requirements, infrastructure planning and planning controls, for managing visitor and accommodation capacity within the Snowy Mountains Special Activation Precinct Sub-regions in Kosciuszko National Park.

The requirements on operators, and information included in the CCF, can be used to guide the release of new beds in Alpine Sub-Regions by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) under the Kosciuszko National Park Plan of Management (PoM), where uplift potential has been identified under the Snowy Mountains Special Activation Precinct Master Plan 2022 (Snowy Mountains SAP Master Plan). The CCF will also be a consideration in the assessment of individual development applications that may impact upon the capacity of infrastructure and utilities and for the conditioning applied to resulting development consents.

Accordingly, the CCF is designed to complement governance and tenure arrangements in Alpine Sub-regions relevant to bed release including the Kosciuszko National Park PoM, leases and licences within the Sub-Regions, and environmental management system (EMS) arrangements which exist under them.

5.1.2 Development to which this chapter applies

This chapter applies to a development application proposing:

an increase in additional accommodation (staff accommodation tourist and visitor accommodation or eco-tourist facilities),
additional demand on the capacity of utilities and infrastructure, or
additional capacity for utilities and infrastructure.

Such development must demonstrate consistency with the principles and infrastructure requirements of this chapter.

All other development including development in the Mount Selwyn Alpine Resort Sub-region does not need to consider this chapter.

5.1.3 Aims and objectives

The aim of the CCF is to guide the release of beds in the Alpine Sub-regions (Alpine Resorts and Alpine Accommodation) by NPWS under the Kosciuszko National Park PoM in a manner consistent with its objectives.

The objectives of the CCF are to:

manage the growth of visitation in the Alpine Sub-regions to ensure the protection, maintenance, and enhancement of identified Kosciuszko National Park values, including but not limited to:
1. biophysical values (including habitat, biodiversity, landforms, water quality and landscapes), and
2. cultural heritage values (including cultural heritage places, objects and features of significance to Aboriginal people).
ensure opportunities are provided for visitors to undertake a wide range of recreational activities at places and in ways that optimise the quality of the experiences available, while minimising adverse impacts upon the values of Kosciuszko National Park and conflicts with other users,
development and bed release are staged to minimise adverse environmental, social and cultural impacts,
development does not inhibit the ongoing maintenance of biophysical values, improved social outcomes, and the regeneration of cultural heritage values, and
complement the Kosciuszko National Park PoM and tenure arrangements in Alpine Sub-regions, including EMS and bed release arrangements under them, for the purposes of achieving objectives (a) to (e) inclusive.

5.2 Application of the CCF

The CCF is based on the stages identified as part of the Carrying Capacity Framework Report (WSP, 2022) which accompanied the Snowy Mountains SAP Master Plan and considered the acceptability of releasing additional beds in the Alpine Sub-regions, up to the maximum bed limit specified in the Kosciuszko National Park PoM. The CCF is based on a series of operational and planning requirements which must be met prior to the allocation of a tranche of beds under the Kosciuszko National Park PoM (refer to Appendix B), as well as a tool for development planning consistent with the DCP.

Figure 53 outlines the process and requirements for the release of a tranche of beds (including for Sub-regions with a single tranche of beds, i.e. Alpine Accommodation Sub-regions) and associated development assessments. Figure 53 outlines how this process operates in circumstances where this CCF identifies multiple tranches of beds for a Sub-region, i.e. for Alpine Resort Sub-regions.

5.3 Operational and tenure requirements

5.3.1 Tenure and regulatory compliance

Compliance by operators with the legislation and tenure arrangements relevant to carrying capacity is a key consideration under the Kosciuszko National Park PoM in determining the acceptability of releasing beds as per the planned staging in this CCF. The specific considerations are listed in Action 10.2.1.16 of the Kosciuszko National Park PoM.

Bed release and development assessment process under the Carrying Capacity Framework for each tranche of beds. — Figure 52. CCF bed release and development assessment process for each tranche of beds

Bed release and development assessment process under the Carrying Capacity Framework where there are multiple bed release tranches. — Figure 53. Replication of CCF bed release and development assessment process where multiple bed release tranches available for Sub-region

5.4 Planning requirements

The planning requirements for the release of beds vary between the Alpine Resort Sub-regions (Perisher Range Alpine Resort, Thredbo Alpine Resort and Charlotte Pass Alpine Resort) and the Alpine Accommodation Sub-regions.

Alpine Resort Sub-region operators are required to prepare and implement an Infrastructure Delivery Plan in accordance with Appendix B.

For Alpine Resort Sub-regions, these planning requirements reapply for each tranche of beds specified in Appendix B for the relevant Sub-region. In anticipation of each tranche, Infrastructure Delivery Plans are to be updated or replaced in accordance with Appendix B.

Alpine Accommodation Sub-regions are required to prepare an Infrastructure Delivery Plan in accordance with Appendix B.

Table 2 outlines the considerations for infrastructure, utilities and visitor amenity and the objectives for each aspect. These must be addressed in the Infrastructure Delivery Plan (as applicable for the type of Sub-region) and will be considered and satisfied as part of the release of beds and assessment of development where relevant.

In all aspects of the application of Table 2, operators are to ensure that infrastructure, utilities and visitor amenity and the objectives for each aspect are consistent with the requirements of the ultimate regulatory authority responsible.

Table 2. Considerations for infrastructure, utilities and visitor amenity
Aspect	CCF Objective	CCF bed release and development assessment objectives	Role/ Responsibility
Water Availability – Potable	Ensure the sustainable use of water resources and protect water resources from overuse. Provide safe and reliable drinking water supply.	To ensure sufficient availability of water supply to meet the demands of peak visitation at the Alpine Sub-region and consistent with the CCF Objective for Water Availability – Potable. To ensure that processes and infrastructure for the extraction and treatment of potable water are capable of meeting applicable legislative requirements and guidelines.	Operators / NPWS / DCCEEW Water / NSW Health / DPHI
Water Availability – Snowmaking (Alpine Resort Sub- regions only)	Ensure the sustainable use of water resources and protect water resources from overuse.	To ensure sufficient availability of water supply to meet the demands of snowmaking activities at the Alpine Sub-region and consistent with the CCF Objective for Water Availability -Snowmaking. To ensure that processes and infrastructure for the extraction of water are capable of meeting applicable legislative requirements.	Operators / DCCEEW Water / DPHI
Wastewater Treatment	Protect the environmental health and aquatic ecosystems of Alpine Region waterways from development and visitor activities.	To ensure sufficient wastewater treatment capacity to meet the demands of peak visitation at the Alpine Sub-region and consistent with the CCF Objective for Wastewater Treatment. To ensure that processes and infrastructure for the treatment and discharge of wastewater are capable of meeting applicable legislative requirements.	Operators / NPWS / EPA / DPHI
Electricity	Ensure visitors to the Alpine Sub-regions have an enjoyable and safe experience. Provide capacity for greater electrification of infrastructure and appliances to reduce reliance on non- renewable energy sources.	To ensure sufficient capacity within the electricity network to meet peak demand at the Alpine Sub-region and consistent with the CCF Objective for Electricity.	Energy providers / Operators / NPWS / DPHI
Telecommunications	Ensure visitors to the Alpine Sub-regions have an enjoyable and safe experience.	To ensure sufficient capacity within the telecommunications network to meet peak demand for telecommunications services at the Alpine Sub-region and consistent with the CCF Objective for Telecommunications	Telecom. providers / DPHI
Access	Ensure visitors to the Alpine Sub-regions have an enjoyable and safe experience.	To ensure access (including parking) arrangements are in place to manage peak visitation to the Alpine Sub-region in an efficient / sustainable manner and consistent with the CCF Objective for Access.	TfNSW / NPWS / Operators / DPHI

5.5 Development requirements

A development application that seeks:

an increase in additional accommodation (staff accommodation and tourist and visitor accommodation, or eco-tourist facilities),
additional demand on the capacity of utilities and infrastructure, or
to deliver additional capacity for utlities and infrastructure.

Such development listed above must demonstrate consistency with:

the aims and objectives of this Chapter,
an Infrastructure Delivery Plan, and
the DCP.

A statement of consistency with the above would form part of the Statement of Environmental Effects lodged with the development application.

Should the application be determined by way of development consent with conditions, the consent authority would likely impose conditions to ensure that any requirements under the Infrastructure Delivery Plans will be delivered and certified prior to any occupation certificate being issued. The consent authority may as a condition of consent require certification by a professional engineer that infrastructure comprising or supporting the development has been constructed and is operating as detailed in the relevant Infrastructure Delivery Plan.

Note: The applicant must also consider infrastructure and utility requirements at a local level as part of the assessment of the development application including connection into existing services and infrastructure.

5.0 Alpine Carrying Capacity Framework