Camping ban would be ‘too far’

BANNING all freedom campers from the Shotover Delta and Lake Hayes reserve is a ‘‘step too far’’, the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association says.

The association’s national policy and planning manager, James Imlach, says an outright prohibition could be difficult to reverse once in place, and he is calling on the council to take a more flexible approach.

‘‘We’d like the council to consider other options that give them greater control and ability to determine who can and can’t freedomcamp at those sites, and also address some of the issues that the community’s raised.’’

The Queenstown Lakes District Council put up lockable gates at the two sites in February after a dramatic increase in freedom campers led to a flood of complaints by residents about issues such as overcrowding and risks to public health and the environment.

It is now consulting on changes to its freedom camping bylaw and the Lake Hayes Reserve Management Plan that would formalise the ban at the two sites.

The changes would be a temporary measure while it develops a long term ‘‘responsible camping strategy’’ for all types of camping in the district.

But Mr Imlach said the community had never asked for an outright ban. Both a petition started by Lake Hayes Estate resident Justine Farquharson — which has gained more than 15,000 signatures — and informal feedback to the council had instead asked for measures such as fines, clamping and the introduction of a visitor levy.

Feedback from association members, including many in Queenstown, wanted the council to look at setting its own standard for selfcontained vehicles, controlling the number of vehicles allowed, defining the permitted camping areas, and varying those measures in line with seasonal use, he said.

‘‘And if they have a more robust enforcement regime, and they’re a little bit smarter about providing facilities, I think they’re going to go a long way to dealing with those community concerns, without prohibiting freedom camping outright.’’

The council would then have an opportunity to test the effectiveness of such measures during the next peak summer period, and use the results to inform its longterm camping strategy, he said.

A Submissions on the council’s proposal close on August 31. A decision is expected to be made in late October.