New Zealand should be seen by overseas visitors, including freedom campers, as a ‘‘welcoming country’’,Waikouaiti Coast Community Board chairman Alasdair Morrison says.
Mr Morrison also emphasised the need for a collaborative, consistent approach to the provision of freedom camping facilities throughout the country, during a discussion at a community board meeting at Waitati last night,
What was needed was combined action by government as well as local authorities and community bodies to ensure adequate facilities were provided, he said.
‘‘I have a view that the Government should be doing more’’ to support facilities for the millions of visitors being attracted to the country each year.
Demand for freedom camping at the Waikouaiti Domain and elsewhere in Dunedin was ‘‘going to get bigger’’.
In a brief update tabled at the meeting, Dunedin City Council recreation planning and facilities manager Jendi Paterson said council staff would present a report to council next month with proposed changes to the freedom camping bylaw.
Before the report was presented, staff wanted ‘‘feedback and suggestions’’ from the community board regarding how the Warrington Domain should be managed as a site, ‘‘whether by area restriction, vehicle restriction or full restriction’’.
More of Dunedin could be opened up to freedom camping next season, while new restrictions are considered for Warrington Domain, as the city council mulls further changes to its approach.
The bylaw changes could result in new locations being added to the list of permitted freedom camping spots in Dunedin, at present limited to Warrington Domain and Ocean View Recreation Reserve for non-self-contained vehicles.
Mr Morrison said earlier positive changes made by the council, including upgraded toilet facilities and high-tech rubbish bins, had been working well at the domain, and other board members agreed.
Board members warned of the danger of imposing big restrictions on the use of the domain, and said freedom campers had responded positively to the improvements.
City council representative Cr Jim O’Malley said the community and council response provided a positive example of how freedom camping issues could be handled.
