Tauranga City Council has a new tool in its toolbox to deal with freedom camping after the Freedom Camping Bill was passed into law.
Mayor Stuart Crosby says freedom camping has been a problem in the past, especially along Marine Parade.
Some freedom campers at Wairoa River.
'We have our own bylaws in regards to camping. It's difficult to monitor. The issue is when are they only staying late or when are they staying overnight. When is the cut-off point?”
Council already has bylaws to stop freedom camping in public places, except in designated zones, but the new law will empower council to issue instant fines of up to $200 for breaching rules.
Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson says the legislation targets irresponsible campers.
'Introducing an instant fine serves as a deterrent and provides councils and the Department of Conservation with the enforcement tools needed to protect our most pristine spots,” says Kate.
The number of freedom campers has doubled in the past decade to 150,000.
'Councils have been asking for greater clarity for years and this law allows councils to define where people can freedom camp, where they can camp subject to self-containment, and where they can't,” says Kate.
11 comments
Now that's handy
Posted on 18-08-2011 10:33 | By Writerman
Nothing wrong with fines for those who despoil the countryside, but is this as transparent as it seems? No wonder Stu is pleased, though; if people aren't freedom camping they might just have to stay at his camping park instead. Win, win (for Stu, anyway)
observer
Posted on 18-08-2011 11:36 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
So how are these fines collected? They just leave the country leaving a beaurocratic cost!!!
Could we please have some info...
Posted on 18-08-2011 13:16 | By SpeakUp
...about council's definition of irresponsible campers and also about the designated areas they are allowed to stay in? NB: Writerman, great info about Stuart's camping park. Will the tickets have a little ad-coupon on the back?
Staffing
Posted on 18-08-2011 14:36 | By RawPrawn
Will this mean employing more Council enforcement officers?
Fine line....
Posted on 18-08-2011 14:41 | By wreck1080
Tauranga will become more boring without these tourists. The days of cheap campsites are mostly over unfortunately.Campsites are more expensive than hotels now.
more restrictions
Posted on 18-08-2011 17:51 | By Glen Clova
What next,more regulations because of a few bad eggs.
For the Needy not the Greedy
Posted on 19-08-2011 12:57 | By methinks
$80 a night for a site at Mt Domain Camp! There is no such thing as a cheap holiday in this town. Holiday makers have money in their pockets to spend in our community but TCC make sure they get their share before the rest us with overpriced council facilities. Then Tourism BOP asks, why tourists pass us by, and, how can we attract more tourists to the area? The answer is as usual, TCC are far too greedy on too many levels!
RATES WILL NOT BE AFFECTED
Posted on 19-08-2011 15:57 | By PLONKER
End result the fines will not be much so more BOFFINS employed and as usual the cost will be more than earned
Bigger issues, bigger polluters ..
Posted on 19-08-2011 17:17 | By Murray.Guy
Bigger issues, bigger polluters .. Just politicians playing at politics with the pretext of making a positive difference. More jobs for more bureaucrats. I get tired, I pull over and rest (sleep) a while where I think it's safe. Is this now a crime? If authorities really gave a damn about the environment, pollution, for starters they'd return to deposits on bottles and a levy on takeaway packaging (McD's, KFC etc) which litter our highways and byways! Mostly bowing to the lobbying of camping grounds and expensive motorhome hire companies and home owners on Marine Parade and the like! Where's my ol' panel van?
TAXING KIWI-ANIA
Posted on 22-08-2011 03:17 | By PLONKER
That is all it is, yet another way to taxing the essentials of NZ life as it was, in end result eliminating the ability of people in NZ to be able to enjoy and be emersed in NZ as it is. The real issues with pollution have nothing to do with parking at the beach, just take a look at the sewerage pipe that flows all out to sea on a daily basis. Does TCC get fined for that ?
THEN PUNISH THE POLLUTION
Posted on 27-08-2011 17:55 | By YOGI BEAR
As usual the vast majority are penalised for the actions of a few, McD, KFC rubbish maybe has nothing to do with campers but is just thrown out the window when passing by, typical official type decisions fines those unrelated ... nothing new there.
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