Keeping our countryside clean and green this summer

17 December 2012

Keeping our countryside clean and green this summer

Rural communities are gearing up for the summer holidays and Rural Women NZ would like to remind campers of some simple steps to keep our countryside clean and green, just as we like to promote it.

Campers, especially those without onboard toilet facilities, should camp in designated areas such as holiday parks and Department of Conservation camping grounds to avoid problems seen in past years of unwanted ‘leftovers’.

“For the past few years we have been highlighting the problem of campers without onboard toilet facilities fouling our rural roadsides and the emptying of effluent and grey water down cattle stops and roadside drains,” says Liz Evans, Rural Women New Zealand national president.

“We have seen some improvement since the Freedom Camping Act was passed in 2011 and need to keep this up.”

The www.camping.org.nz website provides a ‘one stop shop’ for campers. It includes information on keeping safe, facilities, regional camping, what to do and where to stay in New Zealand.

If people are wanting to ‘freedom camp’ they should assume nothing, and check with i-Site visitor centres or Department of Conservation offices to find out where they can freedom camp.

“And if you’re travelling in a rural community, and you’re not sure, ask a local.”

ENDS

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