Glendhu camp fees gain interim exemption

Campers at Glendhu Bay Lakeside Holiday Park beside Lake Wanaka have been granted an "interim" exemption from district-wide camping ground rules, which prevent vans being stored on site when not in use.

Under an arrangement announced by Queenstown Lakes District Council chief executive Debra Lawson, unoccupied caravans and campervans at the Glendhu Bay camping ground can once again be stored on campsites for a charge of $2 a night, as has been the case in the past.

This is different from the other four camping grounds under QLDC management which prohibit unused vans being stored on campsites, as stipulated in the 2006 camping ground strategy.

Storage is allowed in designated storage areas only for $2 a night or $700 a year.

The exemption at Glendhu Bay, which came into effect last week, reverts back to the same pricing system used by the camping ground's former lessees, Herbie and Chris Illingworth, before the council took over management in 2010.

Camping ground manager Julie Gray said a year's grace was given from when the Illingworths' lease expired to continue operating under their regime. From July 1 last year, leaving an unoccupied van on a camp site cost campers $16 a night - the accommodation rate for one adult.

The recent reversal of the charge increase was prompted by feedback from campers during consultation on the Glendhu Bay Lakeside Holiday Park and Lake Wanaka Holiday Park, which is under way at present. A survey on the two holiday parks closes on Friday and Queenstown Lakes deputy mayor Lyal Cocks and council chief executive Debra Lawson have visited the parks on two occasions during the recent holiday period.

"We've got people wanting what they've been used to in the past before it [Glendhu Bay camping ground] went under council management and we're just trying to identify what's the best way to handle it," Mr Cocks said.

"Some people wanted the ability to leave some of their gear there if it wasn't holding up space required for other campers. We're trying to put an interim arrangement in place until we have a closer look at it."

Council chief executive Debra Lawson confirmed there had been "some discontent" about the increase in charges from Glendhu Bay campers over the Christmas holiday period.

"It's quite balanced. Some people are saying that it's still affordable camping, but there are others who are unhappy with the increases."

The fact Glendhu Bay's charge increases were only implemented "relatively recently" was also a factor in her decision to revert to the former $2 charge, she said.

The new, lesser charge would apply until a report was made to the finance committee meeting on May 15.

"So we can have an open discussion, the charges are out there and it's totally transparent and then the charges will be reviewed on the outcome of that meeting," Ms Lawson said.

"I'm doing it as a concession to these campers at this point in time, so we can have the debate, provide the clarity and then move on. I'm not saying that the charges are right or wrong . . . I just need to get absolute clarity."

She said a rise from $2 to $16 was "a big move in terms of budgeting" for campers.

"Our objective in the camping ground strategy is to give people an affordable holiday option, but nevertheless it's a commercial operation and so we have to make sure that it works on that basis."

- lucy.ibbotson@odt.co.nz