Sleeping in the car overnight on Marine Parade while waiting for the surf along the ocean beach can now cost a $200 fine.
Sleeping at the beach will be costly
Tauranga City Council this week adopted the provisions of the government's Freedom Camping Act, meaning a $200 ticket can be served to anyone ‘camping' within the city.
Most complaints about freedom camping in Tauranga are generated from Marine Parade, where there are regular patrols, mainly during summer months.
The areas where camping in the city is permitted are intended for motor homes and campervans.
They include: Memorial Park's internal car park near the fountain, Greerton Park, Ferguson Park's internal car park, the Marine Park car parking area in front of the offices and apartments, and the Waikareao Foreshore Reserve.
Vehicles using these areas must be legally parked and display certified self containment sticker on the front windscreen.
The maximum permitted stay is two consecutive nights per calendar month.
A maximum of three mobile homes can be in any one location on any night.
Eligibility is determined by order of time of arrival.
The Freedom Camping Act 2011 was introduced to give statutory power to control an expected surge in freedom camping during the Rugby World Cup.
It regulates camping on land controlled or managed by the Department of Conservation or local authorities.
The Act doesn't include temporary and short term parking of a motor vehicle, day trip excursions or resting or sleeping at the roadside in a caravan or motor vehicle to avoid driver fatigue.
Mobile home users are required to comply with any orders to move-on made by a parking warden.
8 comments
Regulatory Nazis
Posted on 26-09-2011 09:05 | By SpeakUp
It disgusts me how bureaucracy again strikes under the veil of concern for the environment and social good. It is too easy to use the deeds of a few bad apples to curb freedom of the rest. It is driven by the usual parasitic symbiosis of bureaucracy and profiteering lobby. In this case the pickpocketing Councils, the accommodation industry, the rich privileged living along scenic places and the overzealous DoC. To call it Freedom Camping Act could be borrowed from George Orwell's 1984. Intolerable, oppressive, dictatorial repugnant!
Most are from overseas
Posted on 26-09-2011 10:11 | By Tony
and paid bugga all for the vans ...Do you realy think They will pay the fine ?
Good on you Council
Posted on 26-09-2011 12:04 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
There are so many motor homes around now we can end up with hordes of them along our foreshores every night if no action were taken. Not only do they pollute our dunes with human waste, they clutter and pollute the lovely beachfront scene. Well done Council.
SPACE CADETS AND MOONSHINERS
Posted on 26-09-2011 15:40 | By PLONKER
Looks to me like this lot are wanting to add a bit of "parking revenue" to the coffers, the real problem is the mess left behind of rubbish and waste, why not just deal with that by confiscating the vehicle and contents. It is not that they are parking up it is the mess made. On this scheme of things where is a fella to take a shella for an hour or two now?
@Plonker
Posted on 26-09-2011 16:22 | By Tony
I tottaly agreee the mess is the problem and a fine will not change that , As for your other question . I suggest you take her back to her old man
Margaret123
Posted on 26-09-2011 20:05 | By silent no more
I happen to disagree with you on your comment about motorhomes. Most responsible motorhome owners are members of the Motorhome Association and their vans are self containment certified... the green sticker will be on the van to confirm this. To get this certification they must have a contained toilet system, grey water and fresh water tanks. Members of the association respect the environment, the locals and the local bylaws. I believe your disapproval should be directed at the numerous vans we see parked around our foreshore as shown in the above photo who are the people your comments should be directed at not the responsible motorhome campers who respect our environment and do the right thing.
fools
Posted on 26-09-2011 21:33 | By Capt_Kaveman
what in fact would be easier is to put in 2hr parking restrictions from 6am - 9pm (main beach) so any over night parking have to be gone by 8am, camper parking signs showing places they can go overnight and as for cars or a plain 12 seater van camping or not same restrictions as above
@ CPT KAVEMAN
Posted on 27-09-2011 12:34 | By PLONKER
Sounds simple but the real reasons here are: - The mess they make, rubbish and failing to have or use a proper toilet so deficating anywhere that takes a fancy. Motelliers want a limit to it so as to increases bookings.
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to make a comment.