Bay freedom camp spot blocked
All vehicle access to a controversial Takaka freedom camping spot will be blocked in two weeks.
The Tasman District Council will install barriers to restrict most vehicles accessing the unsealed section of Reilly Street, Takaka by December 1.
The area, bordering the river behind the Takaka Memorial Library, is a popular freedom camping spot.
It attracted hundreds of freedom campers last summer, leading to a number of complaints.
The council agreed to the access restrictions at a full council meeting on Thursday.
Mayor Richard Kempthorne said the site had seen recent problems including antisocial behaviour, litter and environmental health issues.
Pedestrians and cyclists would still have full access to the area.
A private landowner would have a key for personal access.
Other key stakeholders such emergency services would also have keys.
‘‘Locals and the police have been very concerned about the behaviour of large groups of campers in the area,’’ he said.
‘‘We feel the best option at this point is to prevent anyone driving into the area to set up camp.’’
He said campers should use Waitapu Bridge instead. That was a more appropriate location for camping and had a toilet.
Kempthorne said it had applied for Tourism Infrastructure Fund money to improve the facilities at Waitapu Bridge.
Golden Bay has had a problem with large groups of freedom campers camping in some areas causing friction with locals.
Reilly St was occupied by up to 400 illegal freedom campers a night last summer.
Another group, called the River Tribe, has also been living permanently along the riverbank in selfmade structures, tents and tree huts.
They claimed they were not freedom campers and respected the area.
However, residents were upset when whole campsites, rubbish and even cars were abandoned as the group cleared out for winter.
River access at Reilly St and a large portion of the carpark was blocked off by gates earlier this year to help mitigate the issue.
But the council felt even this was causing problems.
The council is currently reviewing its draft freedom camping bylaw.
It held hearings around the district last month.
Under it, large parts of Tasman would be off-limits to freedom campers. This also included areas around Takaka.