Freedom campers and campervan companies will be reminded not to ''use New Zealand as a toilet'' under new rules to be introduced by the Dunedin City Council.
The message came from members of the council's hearings subcommittee as a hearing on the council's new ''responsible'' camping policy and bylaw reconvened yesterday.
Subcommittee chairwoman Cr Kate Wilson said the policy should strive to promote New Zealand's ''100% Pure'' image.
That included asking campervan companies be spread the message that ''it isn't OK to use New Zealand as a toilet''.
The idea was backed by subcommittee member Cr Fliss Butcher, who said the message should also be included in every freedom camping information brochure to be produced by the council.
''That should be at the top of the brochure - don't use Otago as your toilet ... clean up after yourself.''
Subcommittee members yesterday heard one late submission from Te Runanga o Otakou, asking for more monitoring and management of freedom camping on Otago Peninsula, before agreeing on last-minute changes to the new approach.
That included partially reinstating an earlier restriction, introduced in 2011, that prevented too many self-contained camper vans - those with toilet facilities on board - from stopping for the night in one place.
The older rule prevented more than two self-contained camper vans within 50m of each other, but was to be scrapped as part of the relaxed new approach.
However, responding to the concerns of one submitter, Cr Kate Wilson suggested the restriction be partially reinstated, with no more than three self-contained camper vans allowed in the same area overnight.
The aim was to prevent overcrowding and trouble hot spots from developing, although exactly how the restricted area would be determined was not yet clear.
Freedom campers in self-contained vehicles would still be able to park on sealed areas of reserves and other public land for up to three nights under the new approach.
Those without toilets on board would also be able to stay in one of three designated areas next to public toilets at Macandrew Bay, Ocean View and Warrington reserve.
However, council staff yesterday confirmed a proposal to use the Macandrew Bay Boating Club's car park as one of the three designated sites had changed.
Instead, camper vans would be directed to nearby public car parks beside Ralph Ham Park, and closest to the area's public toilets.
Yesterday's session also had at-times confused debate over what effect, if any, the new approach would have on holidaymakers at Bucklands Crossing and other popular but unofficial camping spots.
In theory, holidaymakers already required a council permit to camp at Bucklands Crossing using tents or old-style caravans without toilets, but the rules were not enforced.
That would also be the case under the new rules, but Cr Wilson earlier this month worried the change could prompt some holidaymakers in the area to complain about others, forcing the council to act.
Yesterday, she told the Otago Daily Times the council would conduct an education campaign on the new rules that sought to encourage more holidaymakers to apply for camping permits.
Council reserves policy and planning officer Paula Dickel said the council could also take a more active role in monitoring areas and enforcing the rules if trouble spots emerged.
The hearing adjourned yesterday with final changes to be agreed by email before councillors signed off the new approach at the next full council meeting in September.
