QLDC puts camping plan in motion

A ‘‘RESPONSIBLE camping’’ strategy for the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) was set in motion by councillors at their full meeting on Thursday.

In her report for councillors, acting parks and reserves planning manager Jeannie Galavazi said the strategy consisted of a detailed plan of action until 2024 that aimed to provide visitors with affordable accommodation while minimising the effect on the environment and residents.

The strategy would be reviewed in two years to take advantage of data gathered in the meantime, and to ensure it was in line with potential new Government legislation affecting freedom camping.

The Otago Daily Times reported yesterday the council would establish camping sites next month for certified, selfcontained camper vans near Kingston and Luggate.

The sites will operate until late March.

Two ‘‘service hubs’’ will also be set up in Frankton and Wanaka providing toilets, dumping stations and other facilities.

A proposal for a camping site at the Whitechapel Flat Recreation Reserve was dropped by the council on Wednesday after pushback from nearby residents and some reserve users.

Mayor Jim Boult said the camp sites and hubs were ‘‘a bit like prisons. Everyone knows we need them, but they don’t want one in their area.’’

Cr Scott Stevens said other councils were waiting to see the approach taken by the QLDC to freedom camping, particularly regarding the definition of selfcontained vehicles.

He urged councillors to be bold and not worry about getting too far ahead of other councils.

The definition for selfcontained vehicles provided in the Freedom Camping Act was ‘‘not good enough’’, he said.

‘‘People are peeved that selfcontained camping can be a bottle of water and a bucket in a Subaru.’’