Concern over people sleeping in cars

A SOUTHERN council is concerned about the growing number of people forced to sleep in their cars.

In his report to the regulatory and policy committee in Balclutha yesterday afternoon, Clutha District Council planning and regulatory group manager Ian McCabe said the council’s freedom camping ranger had recently discovered two people using their cars as a place to sleep overnight.

At present, council staff were liaising with local social services to highlight and address the issue, but Mr McCabe proposed the council explore other options for a longerterm solution.

‘‘We have started to notice an emerging issue involving people living in cars due to financial, relationship, or intellectual health problems, or any combination of the above.

‘‘Council staff are generally not well equipped to assist these people in the short term, while also seeking to enforce council bylaws on parking and freedom camping.’’

Councillors responded to the report with a mix of shock and sympathy, although some said it was not a new issue.

West Otago ward councillor Lloyd McCall said the issue was only likely to get worse, due to the global economic situation.

‘‘As a council we have to be aware of it, and make sure it doesn’t creep up behind us. There’s a spot in Tapanui right now with three or four tents on a section.’’

Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan expressed concern council staff might unintentionally aggravate the situation by applying bylaws too stringently.

‘‘I’d be nervous if we started coming down hard on them right now, as there simply isn’t any other option for many of these people.’’

Clutha Valley ward councillor Stewart Cowie noted an item in the preceding service delivery committee meeting, which detailed progress on new cabins for the councilowned Taylor Park campground in Milton. He questioned whether the cabins might provide a temporary solution.

Councillors’ concerns were noted in the minutes, but no further action was proposed at this stage.