Lisa Wheeler
A ban on freedom camping may be amended by the Dunedin
City Council in time for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Council staff are set to meet community board representatives
next month to discuss whether they want designated camping
areas in their respective areas, as a way of controlling
freedom campers and addressing health and safety issues.
Camping is permitted only in designated camping grounds.
DCC Community and Recreation Services policy team leader Lisa
Wheeler said people continued to freedom camp around the city
despite the ban, which proved difficult to enforce.
Issues over people freedom camping in ecologically sensitive
areas, and the inappropriate disposal of waste had resulted
in a decision to review the policy, she said.
If community boards decided they wanted designated freedom
camping areas, then the council would need to consider
facilities, such as toilets, and water, if they were not
provided, Mrs Wheeler said.
It was timely to review the freedom camping policy,
particularly with the influx of visitors expected for next
year's Rugby World Cup.
A draft policy could be out for consultation by the end of
March.
DCC marketing communications manager Debra Simes said the
council was also working on an integrated transport plan for
the Rugby World Cup to accommodate the large number of fans
expected from England, Scotland and Ireland.
Those arriving in campervans would be referred to one of the
holiday parks, with the anticipated "overflow" encouraged to
stay at designated parking sites near the Dunedin Railway
Station, she said.
Otago Peninsula Community Board member and Portobello
policeman Lox Kellas said he would welcome a designated area
for freedom campers in an effort to prevent health and safety
issues on the peninsula.
It was not uncommon to discover fecal matter and litter left
behind from occupants of non self-contained vehicles, and the
issue needed to be addressed.
Last week, three Spanish tourists spent three hours picking
up human waste at Te Anau, after being caught defecating on a
grass verge on a residential street, as their van was not
equipped with a toilet.
The Otago Conservation Board hit the headlines earlier this
year after a board member demanded a national ban as a way of
addressing freedom camping issues, particularly human waste
and rubbish being left behind.
However, the New Zealand Conservation Authority turned down a
request from the Otago Conservation Board to investigate
freedom camping, as it fell outside the role of its
authority.
Under the New Zealand Litter Act (1979), people leaving
litter in a public or private area can be liable to a fine of
up to $5000.
If the litter causes danger, physical injury to any person,
or disease or infection, i.e. from human waste, then the
offender could be imprisoned for up to one month or fined up
to $7500.
hamish.mcneilly@odt.co.nz
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