Economic benefits challenged

Campervans will be encouraged to park in Turangi’s town centre, if the proposed freedom camping bylaw goes ahead.

The proposed site is in front of Hammer Hardware, between Te Rangitautahanga Rd and Ohuanga Rd, and beside four residential houses.

The advantages of the site, according to the bylaw document, include ‘‘Close to CBD, away from lakefront, location makes enforcement/monitoring easy, large open area’’.

Disadvantages are given as ‘‘No public toilet, user conflict, proximity to businesses, undesirable location’’.

Turangi resident Lorraine Waru, who spoke at a hearing on Wednesday, said ratepayers shouldn’t have to pay for a toilet facility to encourage campervans.

‘‘Paying visitors and tourists have been coming to Turangi and Tokaanu for more than 100 years,’’ she said.

Waru said the point of attracting tourists was to bring money into the local economy.

‘‘What economic benefits will be lost to the Turangi area if no freedom camping is available? Not much, I’d say.’’

‘‘Buying a pie and a drink from Sanjay’s Dairy and using the laundromat will hardly boost the local economy by that much.’’

The bylaw would ban freedom camping at Stump Bay - a site with a public toilet which campers use at present.