Daily monitoring of freedom camping spots across Western Bay will begin in mid-December and extend until early February 2018.
Weekend monitoring started in Waihi Beach on Labour Weekend but will increase to daily monitoring from December 15 until February 5.
First Security has been contracted by Western Bay of Plenty District Council to carry out mobile patrols to ensure campers are complying with Council's Freedom Camping Bylaw.
This is the second year First Security has monitored freedom campers in the District.
Council's Compliance Manager Alison Curtis says last year's monitoring programme was successful in resolving community anxiety about illegal camping in the District's most popular areas.
Under Council's bylaw, only campers who have a self-contained vehicle can lawfully park in freedom camping areas. A self-contained vehicle must meet the Caravan Self-Containment Certification Standard.
The unit must be able to be lived in for three days without getting more water or without dumping waste. It must have a toilet; fresh water storage; wastewater storage and a covered rubbish bin.
Illegal freedom camping is liable for a $200 fine. In addition, instant fines of $200 can be issued for each of the following breaches of the law:
- Camping or preparing to camp in prohibited areas
- Damage to the camping area
- Dumping waste or rubbish
- Refusing to leave when asked
- Refusing to give information to the enforcement officer
- Camping without a toilet in a parking area that allows only for self-contained vehicles.
Campers can potentially be issued with seven separate infringement notices from one site visit if all these conditions are not met.
Tenting is prohibited in all freedom camping areas except in TECT All Terrain Park where it is allowed provided permission is granted by the Park Manager.
Anyone concerned about freedom campers can contact Council's 24-hour monitoring service, phone 0800 926 732.
Details of Council's Freedom Camping Bylaw and maps of freedom camping areas can be found on their website.
For details on self-contained vehicles click here.
5 comments
How about?
Posted on 21-11-2017 18:00 | By The Sage
How about the camper vans which park in residential streets for weeks at a time? Council staff notified yet they do not enforce their own By Law. What is the point in having these By Laws if they aren't enforced?
Now
Posted on 21-11-2017 18:30 | By overit
The patrols should be starting now.
here we go again
Posted on 21-11-2017 18:38 | By old trucker
NO COUNCILS like anybody having fun ,what does it mean that you are not allowed to get fresh water for 3 days, what a lot of rubbish,it is not worth owning one as the STRESS must be high,how many councillors own camper vans that are up to standard,(just wondering) anyway i will park up me $250,000 camper this year cos the fun police will be out to check, gosh FUN has all gone these days, Sunlive is No1 for News, Thankyou,10-4 out. phew.
Parking ?
Posted on 21-11-2017 18:43 | By comfortablynumb
Two of those are parked across two bays!Inconsiderate idiots.
@ The Sage
Posted on 21-11-2017 19:07 | By MISS ADVENTURE
Agreed, but dont forget that cars also fall in teh same category, many cars park in residential areas simply becasue there are so few available in the commercial/retail areas. So perhaps they should ban all street parking of all vehicles? That would for sure create a lot of messes all over the place.
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