Western Bay of Plenty District Council is leasing land on Emerton Road, next to the Waihi Beach airstrip, to the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association for members to use for overnight camping.

NZMCA Vice President Ross Hamilton says the lease agreement is one way the Association can work with council to take the pressure off areas such as Anzac Bay.

The caravanners are leasing 5000m2 next to the airstrip in Emerton Road. Photo: Google maps.

The lease of the Emerton Road site will not eliminate issues with freedom campers. It gives an alternative site for NZMCA motorhome travellers.

The site will not be available for general freedom campers and hire vans.

'We work with councils on many initiatives such as tree planting, spring cleans and dump stations. We put a lot back into the communities we visit – and we promote the towns we use,'' says Ross.

'We believe it‘s very important to maintain a self-contained standard for freedom camping to help eliminate the undesirable vehicles that come into towns.''

NZMCA members will take full responsibility of turning the 5000 square metre Emerton Road site into an attractively landscaped and fenced camping area, at zero cost to Council, and hope it have it ready for use this summer.

NZMCA will also pay an annual rent for the lease area.

The Association has a network of activities nationwide in connection with councils, including Katikati which is part of the Motor Home Friendly Town programme.

Waihi Beach Community Board Chair Allan Sole is delighted with the arrangement and says the beach has a great deal to offer its visitors.

It is estimated motorhome visitors spend an average of $80 daily, so it can only be a positive for the local retailers and tourist businesses to encourage such initiatives, says Allan.

Waihi Beach has become an even bigger drawcard for members of the Increased pressure for freedom camping areas in Waihi Beach over the peak summer season has raised issues for Council – particularly at Anzac Bay.

In June this year, the Western Bay of Plenty District Council was forced to increase its payout on security in Anzac Bay to $25,000 because local residents were taking it upon themselves to remind visiting freedom campers and caravanners of the no-overnighting rule in Anzac Bay.

The council was forced to step in following consistent reports of motorhomes hogging the best parks all day during the peak summer months at the popular beach.