Coromandel locals have only one week left to have their say on proposed amendments to the Freedom Camping Bylaw.

The Thames-Coromandel District Council says they must receive all submissions by 4pm on Monday, October19.

The amendments are limited to seven sites across the district – Hikutaia, Thames, Te Puru, Port Charles, Matarangi, Opito Bay and Pauanui – and how they are classified in the bylaw.

Council is proposing to remove one site from the bylaw, introduce one site into the bylaw, change the classification on four of the sites and proposing to leave one classification the same.

It is now seeking public feedback on each of these.

'In the nine months our Freedom Camping Bylaw has been operational, we've had positive feedback from campers, ratepayers and our staff about how freedom camping now works in the Coromandel.

'The focus on these seven sites reflects feedback from staff and the public about freedom camping specifically in those areas and how we may improve this in time for the summer.”

Council's Freedom Camping Bylaw sets out our rules for freedom camping on TCDC land in the district. As a general rule, the Act allows for freedom camping on local authority land.

But there are a number of high-profile areas within the district which are prohibited for freedom camping under the Act, and others which are restricted to a designated freedom camping area.

'The other key rule we have is that all vehicles for freedom camping must be certified self-contained and this certification comes from the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association,” adds council.

To view the proposed amendments and maps, or to make a submission visit the Thames-Coromandel District Council's consultation portal at: http://haveyoursay-tcdc.objective.com/portal/

Submissions can also be submitted via email: customer.services@tcdc.govt.nz; by fax: (07)-868-0234; or by posting them to: Thames-Coromandel District Council, Private Bag, Thames.

Locals can also drop off their submission at one of council's offices in Thames, Coromandel, Whitianga or Whangamata.