Biased account

I comment on the unfair and biased article in the TDN 18/1/18 titled ‘Campers swamp city surf spot’ at the reserve at the mouth of the Waiwhakaiho River, New Plymouth.

It seems that councillor Murray Chong and Fitzroy Beach Holiday Park spokesman Peter Crawford are on another witch hunt to discredit freedom campers again.

Does Murray Chong have shares in the aforementioned camping ground? The photo accompanying the article shows some motor homes and mostly cars parked at the river mouth. As a regular user of the walkway many of the cars parked there are local.

The toilets are also used by members of the public. I have never observed the mess that has been reported by Mr Chong and find it a complete overkill. Had he returned to the area later he would have observed that many of the motor homes had left as most are only overnighters breaking their journey and many are visiting for the Festival of the Lights.

They are not parked at the river mouth all day, only returning at night when the parking areas are mostly empty. Seagulls and locals throwing rubbish out of their cars onto the ground are responsible for much of it lying around.

To state that freedom campers have no respect for the environment and that they have made this car park their campsite is totally vindictive and false. It is very disappointing that Mr Chong a councillor and Mr Crawford are inciting negative comments about those who have chosen to visit our lovely city.

Judy Eva

New Plymouth