Mrs Dean said if Doc had concerns about high rents, why did it close its Glenorchy visitor centre in 2007 and move operations to Shotover St.
"It all seems a bit rich to me that on the one hand Doc claims rents in Queenstown's CBD are too high, yet on the other they're operating a visitor centre there which could just as easily have continued at Glenorchy.
"I would suggest that Doc's move to Arthurs Point only serves to highlight its folly in closing down the Glenorchy centre, with taxpayers now left footing high rent bills, which Doc seems happy to pay."
In October last year, Doc area manager Greg Lind said a year-round centre would open in Shotover St, replacing the Glenorchy office, and another in Queenstown.
The move would eliminate duplication of costs, as visitors passed through the resort on the way to Glenorchy and the tracks beyond.
However, Doc last month announced plans to rehouse its area office and workshop at a $1.9 million commerical property in Arthurs Point by the end of April next year, citing high rents in the Queenstown central business district.
Otago conservator Jeff Connell said the latest rent increase was 11% for the Shotover St office and 27.5% for Doc's workshop in Gorge Rd, where a long-term lease was not available.
The Arthurs Point property, known as Cavells, has been allocated $400,000 for a refit, with a further $500,000 earmarked for a new workshop and to improve parking and public amenities.
Cavells, built on public land already administered by Doc, is home to Queenstown businesses Shotover Jet, Queenstown Rafting and the Rapid Cafe.
Those businesses will pay rent to the department.
Doc community relations programme manager John Roberts declined to respond to Mrs Dean's criticisms.
