Tauranga City Council is set to crack down on freedom camping in the region if new laws are passed through Parliament.

Council already has bylaws stopping freedom camping in public places, except in designated zones, but the proposed Freedom Camping Bill will empower council to issue instant fines of up to $200 for breaching rules.

Freedom camping at Wairoa River.

Until the new law comes into force, council can prosecute freedom campers but cannot issue fines.

Council officials have indicated they would still prefer to provide information about freedom camping laws and issue warnings before ‘heading down the enforcement route'.

The Mobile Home use of Public Places Policy is already in place in Tauranga and controls where mobile homes are able to park.

Under this bylaw, mobile homes, classified as a self contained caravan or campervan, are only allowed to use commercial camping grounds in Tauranga or specific zones, which include Memorial Park, Greerton Park, Fergusson Park, Marine Park and Waikareao Foreshore Reserve.

The Freedom Camping Bill targets those who camp using vehicles without self containment facilities.

Local Government New Zealand president Lawrence Yule says the proposed law gives councils access to a more effective range of tools to tackle the nuisance of freedom campers.

'Poor behaviour from some campers is causing unsightly pollution, damaging the environment and undermining our international reputation,” says Lawrence.

'Many communities are sick of having to bear the wasteful cost of cleaning up the mess left behind by irresponsible freedom campers.”