Revisions to the Thames Coromandel District Council's Freedom Camping Bylaw have been adopted this week.

The bylaw takes effect from December 1 which allows time for appropriate signage, public information and education material to be developed.

TCDC's revised Freedom Camping Bylaw has been adopted this week. Photo: File.

Staff will meet with community boards to determine areas where freedom camping should be encouraged, plus areas where freedom camping will be designated within restricted zones.

A judicial review of the bylaw following a legal challenge by the New Zealand Motor Campervan Association resulted in public consultation on the revisions earlier this year.

While ruled as being legal, the judge recommended two clauses in the Public Places Bylaw and Parking Control Bylaw should be revoked, which has now happened.

TCDC chief executive David Hammond says during legal proceedings they were already reviewing the bylaw to make it more permissive and to revoke the two inconsistent clauses.

'We want to work more proactively with the NZMCA to ensure that people visiting the Coromandel in certified self-contained vehicles are catered for and are considerate of our beautiful Coromandel environment.

'People in uncertified non self-contained vehicles will be encouraged to use commercial campsites.”

Changes in the revised bylaw include removing limitations on freedom camping in restricted areas during summer and holiday weekends, and extending departure times from 8am to 9am.

The number of nights people can stay in restricted areas would also be raised to two consecutively, and specific sites would also be designated for freedom camping within restricted areas.

There would also be changes to proposed areas where freedom camping is prohibited or restricted.

The current Freedom Camping Bylaw will still be in effect until December 1 and there are two places where freedom camping on council land is permitted, but with conditions.

These sites are the northern end of the Queen St carpark at Danby Field in Thames and sites at Tui Terrace and Paku Drive, Tairua.

For more about Freedom Camping on the Coromandel visit www.tcdc.govt.nz/freedomcamping