Popular campsite access is under the microscope in South Wairarapa as the council looks at introducing a freedom camping bylaw.
South Wairarapa District Council [SWDC] has asked for public feedback on the proposals, which include restricting camping to people in self-contained motor vehicles in some campsites and near towns, as well as time limits on stays.
Camping areas potentially affected include reserves at Te Awaiti, North and South Tora, White Rock, Lake Domain, and Ngawi, as well as the Ngawi surf breaks.
Most are on the district’s south coast, an area increasingly popular with holidaymakers from Wellington and further afield, and Wairarapa locals.
In 2021, an initiative by then SWDC chief executive Harry Wilson to prohibit camping at Te Awaiti campground for health and safety reasons did not progress, after strong community opposition.
Public consultation opened last Friday and will run until November 13.
New Zealand’s freedom camping laws currently allow camping on all council land unless specifically prohibited.
A bylaw would give council officers the power to enforce regulations through infringements and fines.
SWDC issued a statement about the proposed new measure that said it wants to strike a balance between attracting and supporting tourism and protecting special places.
“The proposed freedom camping bylaw updates the approach to freedom camping taken in the coastal camping bylaw and gives council a tool to respond to issues related to freedom camping,” it said.
“The proposed freedom camping bylaw identifies those areas where freedom camping is appropriate and those areas that may need protection for reasons including environmental and cultural significance, risks to health and safety, and other practical considerations.
“We want to ensure we meet the needs of our communities, our visitors, and all those who choose to freedom camp.”
The new measure would identify areas where people can’t freedom camp and, in some places, restrict such camping to people in self-contained motor vehicles in and near towns.
A report to SWDC’s September council meeting said freedom camping is currently subject to a range of regulations that are often inconsistent and difficult to enforce.
“Currently the council website promotes coastal camping at Te Awaiti, North Tora, South Tora, Ngawi Reserve, and Lake Domain,” the report said.
“Additional coastal locations that have been identified where camping currently occurs are Ngawi Surf Breaks, White Rock, and Ngapotiki”.
The proposed bylaw is partly based on similar instruments developed by Local Government New Zealand, other councils with established regulations, relevant legislation, and the previous SWDC approach.
The report said the proposal would potentially affect freedom camping around the Clifford Square Reserve and Fitzherbert St in Featherston, and Main St in Greytown.
Coastal areas affected include the Cape Palliser coast, the Tora coast, and the Tora-Te Awaiti coast.
Freedom camping in urban areas would be restricted to certified self-contained vehicles and a limited number of nights only.
“It also means freedom camping is undertaken in vehicles with facilities onboard to ensure waste is dealt with appropriately,” the report said.
Some areas would allow camping using vehicles that were not self-contained.
Places where it is proposed freedom camping is proposed to be permitted in self-contained vehicles as well as non-self-contained vehicles, tents, or other structures include Te Awaiti Reserve, North Tora Reserve, White Rock Reserve, Ngawi Reserve, Ngawi surf breaks, and Lake Domain Reserve [all with a time restriction].
More info, including how to provide feedback can be found here.
– NZLDR
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