Submissions due on freedom campers
Calls for a ban on non self-contained camping vehicles
Whanga¯rei should be banning all freedom camping vehicles that aren’t self-contained, a residents’ group leader says. Whanga¯rei Heads Citizens Association chairwoman Jan Boyes’ comments come after new Tourism Minister Stuart Nash said he wanted these vehicles banned.
Nash would not comment specifically on Whanga¯rei District Council’s (WDC) current Camping in Public Places Bylaw review
But he has strongly signalled his intentions around freedom camping vehicles that lack onboard toilets.
“I have asked my tourism officials to explore what’s possible about tighter regulations for camping vehicles that are not equipped to deal with their own waste,” Nash said.
“I certainly want tighter controls on this industry. I want to know what’s possible and how we can ensure our long-suffering ratepayers and residents in the most idyllic parts of the country aren’t left cleaning up human waste.”
Public consultation on the bylaw review closes at 2pm on Friday. As of last night, WDC had received 93 submissions. The council will also be holding a December 8 hearing for people to talk to their submission.
There has been a 160 per cent increase in freedom campers into the district in the past five years. Some 13,000 freedom camping vehicles visited Whanga¯rei last summer – up from 5000 in 2017/2018.
Boyes said WDC should be moving towards banning non self-contained freedom campers.
Whanga¯rei’s freedom camping increase has forced an early first-time bylaw review to deal with what WDC councillors have been told will be a polarising issue about which hard decisions will need to be made.
“We don’t want any liberalisation anywhere of what we already have now. In fact lots of places need further restrictions,” Boyes said of the association’s review submission, based on a survey of 150 Whanga¯rei Heads residents.
The proposed new bylaw outlines management for each of more than 60 Whanga¯rei freedom camping spots, mostly along the district’s coastline from its roughly Langs Beach southern boundary to Bland Bay in the north.
“We are seeing a high level of interest in freedom camping matters,” Vita Strohush, WDC strategic planner (bylaws) said.
Strohush has previously said the bylaw is operated under New Zealand’s Freedom Camping Act. This considers only three categories in assessing the camping’s impacts – health and safety, access and environmental impact.
Bruce Barron, Whananaki Beach
Association president, said councils used to hide behind the Act when saying they weren’t allowed to oppose freedom camping on the basis of running a business.
His review submission would be based around freedom camping’s impact on four campgrounds which missed out on business as a result.
His group opposed wholesale freedom camping on tennis court-sized Whananaki North beach reserve.
“I don’t think part of our beautiful reserve should be taken up by campervans who spend very little,” Barron said.
Motor Caravan Association (NZMCA) manager for property and policy James Imlach said his group was making a bylaw submission.
WDC was leading New Zealand with its approach to freedom camping management.
Imlach said freedom camping was part of New Zealand culture, with thousands travelling the country without creating problems.
The association accepted a small minority did create problems.
Freedom camping overload has become a problem along the Tutukaka Coast. WDC is proposing banning camping from its most underpressure sites for about two months over peak season,
“We would much rather see seasonal prohibition than prohibiting camping year round,” Imlach said.
Big changes to Ruakaka’s freedom camping management are proposed under the bylaw review, too.
Ruakaka Residents and Ratepayers Association member Eric Woodward is planning a submission. a submission on the bylaw review.
Illegal freedom camping in the Ruakaka Beach backdunes about 700m north of the Niwa marine research centre was a problem.
I certainly want tighter controls on this industry. Tourism Minister Stuart Nash