RV friendly

I think the New Plymouth District Council should give more consideration to their bylaws concerning freedom campers with certified self-contained RVs.

In the New Plymouth district the number of council designated areas for fully self contained motor homes to park overnight is woeful especially when you consider the NZ Motorhome Association alone has over 60,000 members and most members have at least two people on board, so that’s 120,000 people.

To be registered as a self contained motor home an RV must pass an NZMCA inspection, have a good on board toilet and proper holding tanks for toilet waste and gray water from the sink and shower, a good gas cooker and a decent 12/24 volt or gas fridge.

It must also comply and be able to cater for the number of people the van is built to accommodate.

Most RVs have solar panels to run the interior lights, tv etc and all gas appliances have to be installed and certified by a qualified gas fitter. All electrical work for an electrical WOF is also required..

The whole purpose of owning a self contained RV is the freedom to be able to travel and park anywhere, not be in anyone’s way and not to leave a footprint when we move on.

Motor homers bring a lot of money into the places they visit.

The council should be mindful of this and encourage motor homers to New Plymouth by providing more designated free or low charge park over areas.

There is a huge difference between self contained motor homes and those freedom campers who sleep in tents or vans.

Many of these campers are young tourists from abroad visiting NZ on their OE, they haven’t the money to rent a motor home but they still need somewhere to park at night that is safe, has a lit toilet block and fresh water.

In my opinion New Plymouth should provide these basic facilities for young tourists or, stop promoting New Plymouth as a ‘‘friendly’’ tourist destination and surf capital of NZ.

Mike Liggett

New Plymouth