Bylaw back for consideration
Motorhomes will be banned from Ferry Rd, but allowed everywhere else in the Taupo¯ District, according to the council’s redrafted Freedom Camping bylaw.
Councillors reviewed the draft bylaw at a meeting on Thursday. The proposal will now go to public consultation until October 20.
The proposal would mean only certified, self-contained campervans would be permitted to stay in local authority areas.
Freedom campers using ‘sliding door vans’, which aren’t self-contained, would need to stay at a commercial holiday park or at one of four designated sites which have adequate waste and toilet facilities.
These sites are Hipapatua Recreation Reserve [Reid’s Farm], Mangakino Recreation Reserve, Whakamaru Domain and Whakamaru Recreation Reserve.
No vehicles will be permitted to stay overnight at Ferry Rd, near the Taupo¯ town centre.
When the council’s first draft of the bylaw went out to public consultation in February, the council received a threat of legal action from the New Zealand Motorcaravan Association on the grounds it ran contrary to the intent of the government’s Freedom Camping Act 2011.
Mayor David Trewavas said the re-drafted bylaw was a compromise.
‘‘We’ve tried to come up with the best solution available within the laws of New Zealand, as well as addressing the public’s concerns around the sensitive areas,’’ he said.
Councillor John Boddy said submissions on the previous draft bylaw indicated a desire to move campervans off Ferry Rd.
‘‘Ferry Road is a prestigious area to stop and admire the view,’’ he said.
‘‘Residents made it very clear they wanted the campervans off there.’’
A limit of three nights in any one spot is also part of the bylaw.
Boddy said forcing campervans to move after just two nights would not be ideal.
‘‘If there was a two-night restriction, they might only spend one day in our town before having to move on,’’ he said.
‘‘Being allowed to stay threenights in one spot just gives visitors more chance to do things they want to do, rather than be rushed.’’
* See the full draft bylaw at taupo.govt.nz/consultation or a council office. Submissions can be made until October 20.