DoC: Dumped rubbish, vandalism concerns at reserve

would be cleaned once a month in the interim, and the site would be periodically checked for rubbish.

Hulme-Moir said Covid-19 had impacted DoC’s funding significantly and the reserve was a low-priority site.

He said heightened vandalism and dumping of rubbish at the site had increased costs, and it had “very low” use as a free camping site. Earlier this week more rubbish was again found dumped.

“People can still access the site, though. People can still swim there,” he said.

DoC had installed bollards to stop vehicles ripping up grass areas and had increased security in recent times because of an increase in problem behaviour, which had raised the ire of neighbours nearby, he said. “It’s not a shiny site,” he said. There were instances where a third party could be engaged to manage a site on DoC’s behalf, but in this case financial returns would be limited.

DoC figures showed maintenance of the site had an estimated cost of $20,000 last year,

An estimated 300 hours had been set aside to maintain the reserve — the cost of which was not quantified and included in the annual spend — although the amount spent on annual lawn mowing was set at $7,200, which equated to $138 each week.

There was an entry for summer portaloo hire at $2912, with additional toilets to meet summer demand.

Other costs were road re-grading ($4038, spread over two years), contractor repairs $3135 (variable, depending on the amount of vandalism), summer skip bin hire ($1000), while estimated transport and field equipment costs were set at $500 apiece. The cost of security guard hire for New Year’s Eve was $626.

Visitors to the site had generally given it good reviews in recent years on the DoC website, although there had been polarising comments about the state of the long-drop toilets.

Alice (7 out of 10) said they had the place to themselves “although the fire pit was cluttered with random rubbish, but the long drop toilet is okay.”

Unnaleese (8/10): “Our camping experience at Waikawa campsite was very pleasant. There is usually space to set up and do your own thing. There are bush walks to do, easy access river (boil before using), and we particularly loved waking up to the birds. For a free campsite, Waikawa is nice.”

JT (7/10): “The little dump toilet was horrible. Uneven surface, but a lot of space and a good place for one night. Take a bath in the river if you want to.”

Isabel (7/10): “It is a beautiful spot right within nature. There is plenty of room for vans, tents and larger motorhomes. Only negative is the little dump toilet. It really should be renewed and is just nasty. Apart from that it is a great spot and a good starting point for some walks and hikes as well.”

Nad (7/10): “Beautiful place but the toilets are not so clean!”

Lizzy (7/10): “Really pretty area and nice areas to walk around and nice to hear the river. Had a cool shelter with fire pit. Someone had ripped up the grass so was muddy and could not camp in a lot of the grounds and the long drops were pretty gross. We would still stay here again.”

sidcupjon (7/10) “A free DoC campsite, no different to some of the paid DoC campsites, so it’s a bargain!”

Amy (5/10): “It was near the river but the toilet was horrible! It smelled, didn’t have toilet paper, lots of spiders and only one onsite. The trash was overflowing and the campgrounds smelled. It was worth the price . . . free!”

Kirsty (10/10): “Nice little campground amongst the birds and the trees. Drop loo problem seems to have been sorted — it was nice and clean and even had toilet paper. Would happily camp there again.”

Rhea (7/10): “Really pretty DoC campground but the drop loo was terrible. There was also a cat (from a caravan) that kept trying to get our food! Also sand flies, but the stunning waterhole made up for it all.

Pei: (9/10): “Awesome place with a good view during autumn time, could see tu¯¯ı, and if you are lucky, you will have some fruits on the trees. Pitching a tent, lights a fire, having a cold bath, great!!”

Mycall (8/10): “Equally well resourced and looked after as many DoC sites that you have to pay for. This free site is very well situated if you are travelling on SH1. Just to update or correct other reviews, there are long drop toilets but not that many so I could imagine they might get scuzzy if the site is busy. There is also a large shelter which has a purpose made opening in the roof to facilitate an open fire under cover. Nice touch.

Dick Kooij (3/10) “Along the river, grass was high, toilets were dirty, we drove away.”