Alleged harassment at trial camping site concerns
A CATLINS ‘‘responsible camping’’ trial has been marred by allegations campers and staff had been harassed.
This summer, the Clutha District Council is operating a free 24hour site in Owaka’s Inn St, which has berths for eight selfcontained camper vans.
The trial is aimed at addressing previously uncontrolled freedom camping in the area, and is being monitored by council staff, including a dedicated ranger.
Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan said although many aspects of the trial to date had proved successful, he was concerned by multiple reports of alleged harassment of both campers and the council’s ranger.
A source, who did not wish to be named, told the Otago Daily Times at least one of the alleged incidents involved a vehicle ‘‘buzzing’’ the ranger and campers while doing ‘‘doughnuts’’ alongside the campsite.
Other alleged incidents are believed to have involved verbal harassment of campers using the site.
Mr Cadogan said any form of harassment was unacceptable, and reflected poorly on the district as a whole.
‘‘Regardless of where individual opinions lie on this matter, the campers are our guests and deserve better treatment.
‘‘I actually believe the overwhelming majority of locals would be appalled at the alleged actions of a few that reflect badly on us all . . . [we] will not tolerate such behaviour and will be having further discussions with the police.’’
Despite those issues, feedback suggested the majority of visitors using the site had had ‘‘positive’’ experiences, and had been welcomed by local people, he said.
That was reflected in the experience of visiting couple Kim Tinker and Janus Jacobsen.
Ms Tinker, originally from Kaeo, in Northland, but now resident in Mr Jacobsen’s native Denmark, said they had received a ‘‘warm welcome’’ from those they had met in the Catlins.
She praised Clutha for providing the Owaka freedom camping site.
‘‘Any initiative where it’s made easier for visitors to get rid of trash and waste is a good one. Generally, if you give people the option to do the right thing, they’ll do it.
‘‘It’s just a minority who behave badly, whether locals or visitors.’’