Campers at Tauranga's Sulphur Point say they are homeless not freedom campers.

This follows 18 complaints laid to the Tauranga City Council by a couple of nearby residents concerned about a gradual takeover of the boat trailer park at Tauranga's Sulphur Point by campers threatening residents and leaving rubbish lying around.

The campers have also denied claims they have been aggressive towards nearby residents.

Addison Melville was one of those campers until recently.

He says around 10 people living at Sulphur Point in their cars or vans became homeless because of a variety of circumstances.

'We all got together and decided to pick Sulphur Point to live because it's the safest place with running water and there's a toilet there that's open 24/7,” says Addison.

'It's really convenient because we are out of everyone's way.

'Being homeless we didn't want to be in anyone's hair like people in Tauranga's CBD constantly asking for money.

'Most places we go to stay people actually mess with people like us who've ended up in this situation.

'These people living out of their vans at Sulphur Point are not freedom campers avoiding the rules, they are just homeless people trying to live and get by.

'Quite a few of them are actually working to try and better their situation, but it's quite hard doing that out of a van or cars.”

Addison says some of the people there are working with the People's Project to get into accommodation.

He says he recently found accommodation through the People's Project and has now moved to Auckland.

The People's Project that works with the homeless to house them and provide wrap around services to get them back on their feet.

The organisation has confirmed they are working with some of the people at Sulphur Point.

They are among 56 active client's the project is working with.

Addison says some of them have been at Sulphur Point as long as eight months.

'It's due to the housing crisis,” he says.

'It's hard to get into a flat these days.

'For a start you've got to have three thousand dollars for a bond to get into a house and that's quite a bit to save.

Addison also denies they have been confrontational with nearby residents or people coming to the park.

Addison says if anything it's the other way around, it's the homeless who have been hassled by two nearby residents says Addison.

Meanwhile, Tauranga's freedom camping rules have been up for review.

The proposals include closing freedom camping at a number of sites including Sulphur Point, Macville Park and Omanu Surf Club car park.

The council says these areas have increased in popularity and to ensure public access they are no longer suitable for freedom camping.

Another proposed change is that freedom camping vehicles must stay within the designated parking area, and not encroach on another designated parking area.
That's to ensure freedom campers only take up one car park, so that everyone has fair access to the park or reserve.