Wednesday, 30 November 2016

New freedom camping rules apply

Christchurch’s freedom camping hotspots will be under close watch this summer as new district-wide rules come into effect from tomorrow (Thursday).

The City Council’s recently amended Freedom Camping Bylaw bans all non-self-contained freedom camping throughout the district, including Banks Peninsula, but allows certified self-contained freedom camping without a time restriction in rural zones.

Certified self-contained vehicles are those equipped with on-board wastewater facilities and approved by the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association.

The Council’s Head of Regulatory Compliance, Tracey Weston, says staff will be out and about regularly over the busy summer period to check that freedom campers are following the new rules.

“Staff will be making sure that freedom camping across our district is well managed and safe for campers, residents, other visitors and the local environment,” says Ms Weston.

“That means checking people are camping in certified self-contained vehicles, obeying relevant signs, and following the rules around lengths of stay, where applicable.”

Ms Weston says the Freedom Camping Bylaw’s rules relate to camping specifically and not to short-term parking.

“We often receive calls from members of the public about parked vehicles and campervans. However, the Bylaw doesn’t prevent people from parking temporarily to eat their lunch, go on day-trips or rest between long stints of driving, as examples.”

Where freedom campers are found to be breaking the rules, Council staff can choose to issue an infringement fine of $200 under the Freedom Camping Act.

Ms Weston says staff will be paying particularly close attention to the stickers that show whether a vehicle is properly certified as being self-contained by the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association.

“We’ve seen instances where people have tried to forge these stickers in an attempt to flout the rules, but staff are aware of this and know what to look out for,” she says.

The Council introduced its Freedom Camping Bylaw last year, initially designating five specific sites for non-self-contained freedom camping in the district: Lower Styx River car park, Windsport car park, Addington Reserve car park, and parts of the Wainui and French Farm foreshores.

However, overcrowding, unsanitary conditions and complaints from residents forced the Council to temporarily close the sites.

The majority of complaints related to campers not using toilets, or disposing of wastewater and rubbish improperly, or preventing others accessing popular recreation areas.

The five previously designated sites are now permanently closed to all camping, along with two small areas of the Wainui and French Farm foreshores previously restricted to self-contained camping.

A full review of the Freedom Camping Bylaw is scheduled for next year.

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