New freedom camping rules pose challenge

Freedom camping rules in Marlborough could go under the microscope again, for the fifth time in 15 years.

The Marlborough District Council may need to make ‘‘changes’’ to its new freedom camping bylaw, launched last December, if the Government sticks to its plan to impose national rules.

The national rules, currently open for feedback, propose banning vehicles without certified toilets from freedom camping, or propose making it mandatory for campers without certified toilets in vehicles to stay at sites with toilet facilities.

The potential impacts of the proposed rules was discussed at a consultation meeting in Picton last week, attended by more than 100 people, half of whom had freedom camped.

Speaking after the meeting, Ministry of Tourism system and insights manager Danielle Mckenzie stressed a decision had not been made on what the transition period would look like, how long it would run for, or what it would cost.

‘‘We are specifically asking for feedback from the public, industry and councils about what the transitional arrangements [for the proposed rules] should be,’’ she said.

Parliament would ultimately decide what would be in place.

Council chief executive Mark Wheeler said the proposals could trigger minor changes to the region’s bylaw, which the council could build on by considering ‘‘other changes’’.

Changing a bylaw that had ‘‘significant interest’’ or impacts required feedback from the public, according to the Local Government Act, which Wheeler said was ‘‘challenging’’.

But the Government could arrange it so that altering freedom camping bylaws was easier for councils, for example by not requiring councils to go through the bylaw process.

‘‘We’re aware of the transition proposal. It’s something we have to consider. But we’re still getting our head around it.’’

The council would submit on the proposals this week.

Wheeler said the council had not yet determined whether the proposed new rules would impact its potential court case with the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association.

The association believed the council’s decision to close eight of its freedom camping sites and rule vehicles at its remaining five sites be selfcontained was ‘‘unreasonable’’.

It was the fourth time the region’s bylaw had been redone. Councillors promised changes following a wave of submissions against freedom camping in its annual plan.

Marlborough and Nelson are some of the only regions that require camping vehicles to be self-contained. The Government was looking to widen this scope to include all regions, and make self-containment certifications stricter.

It also hoped to create a selfcontained vehicle register.

Those who did not play by the rules could face up to $1000 in fines – up from $200 – or have their vehicle confiscated. Fines could be passed between vehicle owners and rental companies would be required to collect fines from visitors.

The Government hoped the new rules would better protect the environment, remove the ‘‘burden’’ of freedom camping from locals and lift the quality of tourism in New Zealand. The public has until May 16 to submit feedback.