Fitzroy fights freedom camping
Residents of a New Plymouth suburb have united against a council idea that could put freedom camping carparks at their shopping centre.
At Tuesday’s hearing for the New Plymouth District Council’s freedom camping bylaw proposal, Fitzroy residents and businesses opposed the suggestion of 11 non self-contained freedom camping carparks. They said non selfcontained freedom campers should instead use camp grounds or be given a specially-assigned site.
Ann Warner, who represented Fitzroy businesses, said their petition against non self-contained camping in the shopping centre carpark had received 1732 signatures. She said even people who went freedom camping were against the idea.
‘‘We have two toilets and we want them to be used as toilets. We don’t want them to be used as a place to bathe or a place to wash dishes.
‘‘Remember this is our carpark, not a camping facility. New Plymouth is open to visitors and we welcome that but surely it should be on our terms.’’
Michael Warner, from Fitzroy Optometrists, said: ‘‘We’re a business district, not a camping ground.
‘‘All non self-contained campers should be required to stay in licensed camping grounds.
‘‘I’m not opposed to freedom camping; I’m opposed to non selfcontained freedom camping the proposed areas.’’
Fitzroy residents also voiced their disapproval, with Karen Eagles saying she was ‘‘outraged that you even thought of having 11 parks in the business district’’.
Another resident, Valerie Hastie, said she did not want to see a repeat of the littering, blocked drains and other issues that happened at Waiwhakaiho.
‘‘I don’t want it happening here and spoiling our village, which is after all a gateway into the city.’’
Ted Wells said he and his wife had freedom camped for decades, but it simply did not work in urban areas. ‘‘Any time it is allowed, because it’s free it becomes overwhelmed.’’ in
New Plymouth had more than adequate camping sites along the coast which should be utilised, he said.
Fitzroy resident Mark Brown said in his submission that freedom camping should only be permitted in outlying areas.
‘‘I do not agree that we should ever be allowing camping in the CBD or shopping centres or residential areas.’’
Several submitters said they needed to know how the bylaw would be policed, with Clifton Community Board chairman Ken Bedford saying NPDC were ‘‘putting the cart before the horse’’.
The council will make its decision on the bylaw at a later date.