Crackdown on freedom campers

A decision to put freedom campers into lockdown in Marlborough has not come soon enough for some holiday park workers.

Marlborough Civil Defence last week began working with police to implement the strict conditions required at Alert Level 4, by relocating non-resident campers into motels and commercial camp grounds. Places had also been found for some of the region’s homeless.

Eighteen freedom campers in self-contained vehicles had been moved to holiday parks for the four-week lockdown, while about eight without self-contained vehicles had been moved to motels or housing.

Marlborough Civil Defence emergency management controller Richard Mcnamara said the move aimed to protect campers and the public by reducing the spread of coronavirus.

‘‘The Government has given us, as a community, the chance to mitigate those effects. It’s a oneshot thing. We don’t get a second chance at this. Whether we like it or not, we’re all in this together.’’

It was ‘‘impossible’’ to shut the region’s 60 or so freedom camping sites, as most were beside the road and not fenced off, but Mcnamara said campers would be asked to move on if spotted.

Freedom campers would cover the cost of isolating if they could afford it, but if not, the Government could provide assistance.

‘‘It’s about looking after people, because if we look after them then they’re more likely to adhere to the rules during the lockdown.’’

What precautions campers were required to take, such as how far vehicles must park from each other, was up to individual camp grounds, which were required to enforce self-isolation rules.

‘‘Camp grounds and their camping associations have been very good at that. I can’t speak highly enough of them,’’ Mcnamara said.

Smiths Farm Holiday Park coowner Barbara Faulls said freedom camping sites should have been closed ‘‘right from the start’’. While she supported the push to get freedom campers selfisolating, she was concerned the delay had increased the risk.

‘‘Where have [freedom campers] been in the interim?’’ she said.

‘‘Which bubbles have they been interacting with?’’

But Mcnamara said authorities had to work within the given laws.

Faulls said four separate ‘‘bubbles’’ were isolating at her park – two were guests in campervans, one covered those staying in units, and one for her family. There were 11 groups in total, including a New Zealand couple.

Campervans had to park more than 2 metres from each other.

Spring Creek Holiday Park manager Christine Collingwood said staff decided to ask freedom campers to find alternative accommodation, to reduce the risk to long-term residents.

She thought authorities should have relocated freedom campers earlier.

‘‘ They’re a problem because they say they’re self-contained but they’re not. They have no shower, no toilet. Just a van,’’ she said.

Mcnamara said portaloos with hand-washing facilities had been installed in Picton, at Blenheim’s Liz Davidson Place, and along State Highway 1 after most public toilets closed due to a lack of cleaners. These would provide for essential workers.

The Riverlands Roadhouse truck stop was still open.

Those needing help or advice could contact the council on 03 520 7400 or email welfare@marl boroughcdem.co.nz.