City car park open to freedom campers

THOMAS Burns St car park is now a permanent option for freedom campers during the camping season.

The Dunedin City Council yesterday approved the addition of the site to its Camping Control Bylaw, meaning overnight camping in nonselfcontained vehicles at the site will be permitted between November 30 and April 30 each year.

Campers will have to park in designated areas, stay a maximum of two nights, and depart the site by 8.30am.

The council conducted recent public consultation about the location and the majority of submitters were in favour of adding the site.

Cr Steve Walker said yesterday it was impressive to see the oncecontroversial issue of freedom camping resolved through the work of the previous council and Dunedin’s community boards in ‘‘helping to find a way forward’’.

Cr Jim O’Malley said there was a respite in demand for freedom camping sites due to borders being closed, but that demand would return in the future, and he encouraged the council to look at further freedom camping sites.

‘‘If we can be proactive and ahead of it, this city will maintain its status as being friendly [for campers].’’

All councillors voted for the amendment to the bylaw.