Freedom camping bylaw open for consultation

Published on 05 September 2021

Freedom camping in Moutoa Quay

Whanganui District Council is inviting submissions from the community on its proposed freedom camping bylaw.

General Manager - Corporate, Stephanie Macdonald-Rose says, “Under the Freedom Camping Act 2011, the council can create a bylaw to protect an area, protect the health and safety of people who may visit the area, or protect access to the area.”

She says the council does not have the ability to ban freedom camping outright.  

“Up until now, we have encouraged the use of our local freedom camping sites, while taking into account feedback from the community relating to freedom campers.

“Generally speaking, the council’s position is that freedom camping is a positive activity for Whanganui with more people visiting our district. However, to satisfy the needs of both the community and travellers, we’re proposing to limit the number of nights freedom campers can stay in several areas around Whanganui.”

According to council surveys of freedom campers during the 2019/20 summer season, most freedom campers visiting Whanganui have been domestic travellers aged 50+. Stephanie Macdonald-Rose says these travellers are usually passing through the district and their stays are limited to just a few days.

She says, “We’d also like to limit the number of vehicles that can be freedom camping at any one time in these areas, and restrict camping to certified self-contained vehicles where appropriate. Restrictions would be placed on freedom campers in the proposed permitted areas and freedom camping banned in other places.”

Restricted areas would be open to regular parking as well as freedom camping, but freedom campers would be subject to rules such as a maximum number of nights’ stay and maximum vehicle numbers. Campers who breached these rules would be subject to a fine of $200.00 imposed by council officers.

Stephanie Macdonald-Rose says, “Most community concerns have focused on the length of time travellers are freedom camping and the areas where they’re staying – in particular in relation to Kowhai Park and Springvale Park. Other issues raised have been about the loss of views due to parked vehicles and concerns about the environmental impacts of freedom camping.”

“It must also be noted that while a freedom camping bylaw would address traveller issues, it would not be able to regulate or respond to concerns about homelessness.”

For information on the council’s proposed freedom camping bylaw and to have your say via a submission, click here.

You can also email your thoughts to: policysubmissions@whanganui.govt.nz

Hard copies of the proposed policy, statement of proposal and submission form are also available from council customer services at 101 Guyton Street and the Davis and Gonville libraries.

Submissions close at 5.00pm on Sunday, 5 September 2021

 

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