CBD welcome mat rolled out for freedom campers

Dunedin has rolled out the welcome mat – or at least an inner city car park – for freedom campers. The trial site at Thomas Burns St, near the city’s railway station, officially opened yesterday. It can cater for up to 65 vehicles. The city council operates designated freedom camping sites for non-self-contained vehicles at Warrington and Ocean View. It decided to trial an inner-city site to alleviate pressure on facilities at those seaside communities, council parks and recreation group manager Robert West said. The new site has a tap, portaloos and even a solarpowered rubbish-compacting bin, made possible by a central Government grant. The council will be collecting data, with the pilot set to end on April 30.