$200 fine for freedom campers

The aftermath of freedom campers at Nikau Crescent. File photo.

From next month, freedom campers visiting Tauranga will face the prospect of being issued with an instant fine.

This fine will be for breaches of the bylaw that seeks to control freedom camping in the area.

Tauranga City Council will soon begin issuing $200 infringement notices to freedom campers who are not in a certified self-contained vehicle, who park in a prohibited area, or who stay at a permitted location for more than two nights in a calendar month.

Other offences such as lighting fires or failing to remove all waste and litter can also result in a fine.

Mayor Greg Brownless says Tauranga is a popular holiday destination for both domestic and international travellers.

'We don't want that to change, but we also expect our visitors to follow the rules and to help us minimise the impact on our natural environment.”

Tauranga has 38 permitted freedom camping locations. Until now, the council has taken an educational‑approach by actively engaging with the freedom camping community and providing information on freedom camping in Tauranga.

Bylaws and parking team leader Stuart Goodman says the educational-approach is no longer proving as effective.

'The number of freedom campers in Tauranga has increased and so have the number of complaints. The majority of freedom campers respect the rules, but we are seeing an increase in non‑certified vehicles and campers exceeding the permitted number at certain locations. The bylaw allows a stricter approach to enforcement which will enable us to more effectively ensure the rules are adhered to.”

As outlined in the bylaw, specific locations across Tauranga have been set aside for freedom campers. At all permitted reserves, designated areas have been clearly marked, and new signage showing the designated areas and any restrictions has been installed.

'We will be carrying out daily proactive patrols. The designated areas will make enforcement easier – if a freedom camping vehicle is not in the correct area, or if they are in a non-self-contained vehicle, an infringement notice will be issued.

'We ask all freedom campers who are planning to visit Tauranga to please take the time and go to our website where all the rules around freedom camping are available. If you are travelling in a non‑self‑contained vehicle ensure you book into a campground to avoid receiving an infringement,” says Stuart.

Tauranga's Freedom Camping Bylaw 2013 was made under the Freedom Camping Act 2011. The Act allows for a $200 infringement for any breach of a council bylaw made under the act.

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10 comments

Good interm measure, but,---

Posted on 29-05-2017 09:56 | By Papamoaner

In these modern times, more facilities are needed for freedom campers to park up. They bring money into the local economy, even though some of them are social retards. It's a bit of a balancing act


It's a start

Posted on 29-05-2017 12:55 | By The Sage

Let's hope they enforce it as it is one thing to put something in print and another to act on it. It's the ones living out of Vans and cars that are the culprits, ruining it for the rest of the people. Also the Camper Vans do not park in their designated spots, in the main. They want to be right on the waters edge, impeding walkers and other park users. Hanging washing in trees is not a good look.


I have to wonder

Posted on 29-05-2017 13:29 | By SML

if TCC is intending to use this "freedom camping" bylaw to clamp down on those sleeping in their cars due to being homeless?It's bad enough for families to be jammed into houses with other families, but there are bigger numbers than many would care to admit sleeping (whole families at a time) in their cars, then having to go to work or school the next day. Not just for a day, but weeks at a time. Don't believe me? Go around some of the parks and quiet laybys at night, and REALLY see the extent of the problem. Just don't further attack these people, TCC - they have to sleep somewhere.


Kiwis or foreigners?

Posted on 29-05-2017 14:53 | By maildrop

Are you sure the tourists have left that? I've seen many Kiwi backyards that have similar "furniture" and strewn bottles. Can't imagine why foreign tourists would strip out their rental vehicle or it would costs them dearly. My only conclusion is that it is home grown scruffs, whether "camping", or just having a sizzle and beers, and forgetting the garden chairs.


golly gosh

Posted on 29-05-2017 15:09 | By old trucker

How does TCC know this is from FREEDOM CAMPERS,(did they witness this or is it a old picture) they are to damn lazy, and do not go out there themselves as this would take them out of their comfort zone, so called (KIDS) CONTRACTORS would do this,just tidy it up and get on with it, bet Stuart badman,with a fancy first name has never been in this situation, maybe he should try it,(hangon) i work for TCC with a FANCY title and i will get my lackies to do it for me,(GOSH) if i go then i will miss my 1hour SMOKO in Red Square, my thoughts only Sunlive,you bring some interesting stories that can rile up some people, well this is TCC at its best, probably today they have had a meeting for 8hrs, and not fixed it but will 2morrow, Sunlive Thankyou,10-4.


Unbelievable!

Posted on 29-05-2017 16:57 | By BJ

What is unbelievable is that a previous Council had actually proposed allowing Freedom Camping on Marine Parade, from Banks Ave to the East! A number of our Tourism Accommodation operators appeared before full Council to argue against it! While we were able to finally convince the Council NOT to allow this, we expressed our serious concerns about their commitment to policing the freedom camping that was taking place, prior to the meeting, and ongoing! These fears were well founded, as weeks and months went by, and campers were obviously breaching the by-laws! A good question to ask Council now is - how many infringement notices have been issued since the decision to restrict freedom camping was made! My bet would be - none!!


@ SML

Posted on 29-05-2017 17:10 | By Papamoaner

You make some good points, but authorities should be able to tell the difference when they come across them. Surely?


Seats

Posted on 29-05-2017 20:47 | By Papamoaner

The abandoned seats are suggestive of a stolen vehicle


Policing these rules

Posted on 30-05-2017 10:15 | By Border Patrol

I've had a look at the council website link and the rules are pretty clear cut. It will be interesting to see how well this is enforced by the council as I have seen numerous instances of way too many campers at some of the existing designated sites. Some of the worst culprits I've seen are NZ'ers in the older age bracket in their large motor homes. One instance was a group that had parked their large motorhomes longways in the beachfront carparks at Pukehina beach during the day, taking up several parks each and so had pretty much taken up all of the beachfront parks for themselves.


wondering

Posted on 31-05-2017 19:40 | By old trucker

If those seats would fit on me KONAKI, so it would not be to HEAVY for me horse NIGHTMARE to pull,they would be comfortable, might take her for a walk and have a look, should be still there as TCC is to LAZY to pick stuff up,LIKE the RUBBISH at the end of street by ARBOR REMAN,near supercheap its been there for 3yrs and is now overgrown, and (CON)tractors just mow around it,wonder if TCC read this and do something about it,me tinks not, as they would be thinking about a meeting tomorrow with a catered lunch, you would think that (CON) tractors would remove it,HANGON you would need a BRAIN for this,my thoughts only, No1 is Sunlive for news, Thankyou ,10-4.


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