Freedom camping rules at Waihi Beach and Anzac Bay are being reviewed following residents' submissions in the recent Long Term Plan process.
A number of people expressed concerns about freedom camping at Anzac Bay, says the council reserves and facilities manager Peter Watson.
Freedom camping at Anzac Bay is under review.
Freedom camping is permitted in Anzac Bay on the grassed area.
As a result Council has agreed to review the bylaw in this area, where freedom camping is currently restricted to a small area of the Domain, says Peter.
Feedback from the community is to be obtained in a drop in day at Waihi Beach next Saturday July 18. It's for two hours from 10am-12pm at the Waihi Beach Community Centre, 102 Beach Road, Waihi Beach.
People's comments from the drop in day will help Council determine whether the review continues, and if so what changes should be made, says Peter.
The district council's freedom camping bylaw was adopted by Council in 2012 under the Freedom Camping Act 2011, with amendments made in 2014.
'If Council agrees to amend the bylaw the draft will be released for public consultation during August and September 2015,” says Peter.
'People will have the opportunity then to comment on the proposed amendments and speak directly with Councillors if they want to.”
Several sites where freedom camping is currently permitted under the bylaw will also be under review. Some existing restricted sites could also be amended. Changes, if any, will come into effect when the new bylaw is adopted – either late 2015 or in the New Year.
Anyone unable to attend but wishing to provide feedback can do so before Friday, 24 July 2015.
Post feedback to Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Private Bag 12803, Tauranga 3143, email john.rauputu@westernbay.govt.nz or phone 07 579 6649.
To view the current Bylaw and associated maps please visit: http://www.westernbay.govt.nz/our-council/policies-plans bylaws/Documents/Freedom%20Camping%20Bylaw%20including%20Maps%20-%20Full,%20Reduced%20and%20Signed%20NEW.pdf
Other sites under review are:
The Esplanade reserve Omokoroa (including Beach Grove Recreation Reserve) from south western end to Omokoroa Boat Ramp
Ngaumuwahine Local Purpose Esplanade reserves
Panepane Point, Matakana Island
The area between Wairoa River and road adjacent to Pukewhanake and Railway Bridge – Te Puna Station Road
The area immediately north of Wairoa River Bridge between river and Te Puna Station Road
Lund Road Reserve (Forestry Block)
Pohutukawa Park (actual site located at Waihi Beach Surf Club Reserve)
Park Road Katikati (currently restricted but newly discovered archaeological sites requires the need to prohibit freedom camping)
13 comments
Consult with those most affected
Posted on 10-07-2015 14:09 | By Murray.Guy
Hopefully Council will consult with those most affected, the campers. I note the article fails to identify 'actual concerns'. A notice to the Motorhome Association would be nice!
No camping
Posted on 10-07-2015 16:17 | By Nash
It's not the campers who are most affected Murray; it's the ratepaying residents who have to deal with the mess campers leave behind, and the great big RVs and campervans blocking their views. They also have to pay for the toilets, ugly parking bays and facilities for these "free" campers. It's not 'free' at all - we pay and pay.
Get the FACTS Right FIRST
Posted on 10-07-2015 17:14 | By Watcher 1
What "BY NASH" may have failed to realize is that many of the Motorhomers with even the BIG RIGS are also WBOPDC ratepayers themselves many paying a lot more in rates than By Nash and others. TCC and WBOPDC Council ratepayers make up a major proportion of the Motorhome Assn membership and travel outside the district and within the district for a few nights Freedom Camping just like Ratepaying Motorhomers visit here from other areas. The Bigs Rigs and Motorhome Assn Members have their own built in Toilets and Showers. Further more, By Nash and others DO NOT OWN THE VIEWS OUTRIGHT, they are to be shared. Its the small UNCERTIFIED NOT SELF CONTAINED Vans that are the problem. Maybe WBOPDC should appoint honorary wardens with Council warrants to Police these illegal uncertified Self Contained Vans that DO NOT DISPLAY the registered Green or Blue Stickers.
Really
Posted on 10-07-2015 17:20 | By N & K
Public toilets will get cleaned whether campers use them or not. I am a "free" camper and I have never seen a mess left behind by anyone that has had a self contained sticker on their vehicles. It is not in our interests as "free" campers to do so! The "ugly" parking bays in these areas were there before "free" camping was allowed so nothing has changed there! So I would contend that it does not cost ratepayers a bean and we "free" campers use the cafes, shops and restaurants bringing money in to communities where "free" camping is allowed. I congratulate the council for having the foresight to have these facilities available!
@Nash...
Posted on 10-07-2015 17:37 | By sambo's back
right with you, some are good some are bad, as always its the bad that spoil it for all, I am way over cleaning up after a few, so the result is now, none get cut any slack!!!, and Mr Murray if the Motor Home Association would like to clean up after all campers then my opinion may change, but until then NOPE!!!!
Unlawful
Posted on 10-07-2015 17:46 | By Chris
The council cannot lawfully restrict freedom camping, and they know it.
Overit
Posted on 10-07-2015 18:26 | By overit
Nash, I am a Tga. ratepayer and self contained Motorhome owner.Although we have not stayed locally we do outside of the area. I pay for others to enjoy Tga. and environs, others pay for us. I do not have a problem with it. I don't use the Library or buses etc but my rates go towards these facilities. For everybodys' information, the President of NZMCA is meeting with Councils to discuss issues very soon. I would think it very unusual for our members to litter and be a public nuisance as we treasure the priviledge. If you see one of our members littering please take the registration no. of the vehicle.
Summer Camper
Posted on 10-07-2015 21:16 | By Milzie
After spending 3 weeks holidaying nearby I was disgusted to see the amount of rubbish that these self contained Campers left behind. Everything from frypans & old BBQ's. Then to see the campers using outdoor showers each day. You are either self-contained & use your Camper, or don't stay. Also to see these people park up & then peg down awnings & stay 3 nights in a row is surely not what these bylaws were meant for.
What a load of rubbish!
Posted on 10-07-2015 21:56 | By Murray.Guy
So let's see if I understand the concerns of a few 'green eyed monsters', ... the evidence of human presence is ALL down to those largely more mature folk in self contained vehicles (whom I envy daily), the one's who dare sleep overnight. The thousands that strap their surf gear, bush gear and bike gear to their vehicles, use the ratepayer provided toilets, showers, free BBQs and the like - they are all model citizens who appreciate and respect the great outdoors, the provision of all the freebees, never defecating in the bush, the sand dunes or urinating on the ground, never leaving behind a broken bottle, a McDonalds wrapper. What a load of rubbish! The negative impacts, what few there may be, pale into insignificance compared to the day tripper/abuser! Shucks, a view is lost over night! Camping was a kiwi experience, now it's a sin - sad.
Rather simple really
Posted on 10-07-2015 22:35 | By The Caveman
FULLY self-contained RV, motor homes, call them what you like; -own water supply, own waste water tanks, toilets showers etc etc, NO problem, as long as the don
Taking the Piss
Posted on 11-07-2015 11:32 | By Colleen Spiro
There should be a rule that they can camp 1 or 2 kms from a camp ground....Look at that photo, no parking for day trippers either. There is a toilet to the left of that pic....why can't people sleep in their cars. ONE RULE for all.
minx
Posted on 11-07-2015 18:24 | By Minx
Here we go again - the green eyed monsters, the tut tutters, the righteous ones, the envious, the 'if I cant have one then damn them all' types, the I'm out of pocket types (Nearby Camp Grounds??) who by the way charge an arm and a leg for a bit of grass that those of us who have outlaid tens of thousands of dollars don't actually need because we have taken a great deal of effort with social responsibility to ensure we are self contained and remain that way. Why cant the detractors just leave us alone and get some enjoyment from life. The nay sayers should feel guilty and ashamed, what is your real problem here.
One rule for all
Posted on 13-07-2015 09:06 | By Councillorwatch
What's the big deal about self-contained campers. They often park near the toilets and I have personally seen them use the public facilities rather than cram themselves into their very tiny onboard ones where it must be a bit difficult to finish the job. Similarly a lot of not self-contained campers don't just defecate in the bushes, they use the facilities too and most often they don't leave rubbish. So I'd have to agree with Murray on this one, and I personally would let them free camp anywhere.
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