Trial of inner-city camping site

A new inner-city site is just one way the Dunedin City Council hopes to manage the thousands of freedom campers expected to converge on the city this summer.

The council will trial a site in part of the Thomas Burns St car park from November to the end of April.

Council parks and recreation group manager Robert West said the Thomas Burns St site's proximity to the city centre meant that as well as it being in a industrial area, it was an ideal site for a trial.

At full capacity, it could hold about 65 vehicles, including some larger camper vans.

A tap for drinking water had already been installed and a sink, rubbish/recycling bins, portable toilets and signs would be installed soon, Mr West said.

The space would be available for casual parking during the day (Monday-Saturday, 8am to 6pm), when normal parking charges would apply to all vehicles.

The maximum stay for freedom campers would be two consecutive nights. The site would be monitored by contractors in the evening and the council's parking wardens during the day.

While it was difficult to know how many freedom campers would visit the city, Mr West said it was unlikely to be fewer than last year, when 10,000 vehicles were recorded within the city's limits.

``We need to collect some really good data this year to continue to see if we can continue to make improvements or adjustments, because there's no one answer to this.''

As well, the number of security patrols inspecting sites around the city would increase. The council also wanted to find ways to ensure infringement notices were paid, he said.

Other initiatives included more bins at the Brighton Domain, Warrington and Ocean View freedom camping sites, and a trial of community host roles at sites.

The Dunedin City Council will trail an inner-city freedom camping site in part of the Thomas...
The Dunedin City Council will trail an inner-city freedom camping site in part of the Thomas Burns St carpark from November to the end of April. Image: DCC
The $79,000 from the Government's Tourism Facilities Grants Fund would cover most of the cost.

A site assessment tool was also being developed, similar to that used by the Nelson City Council, so there was an objective way to decide which sites would suit freedom camping.

``We get a lot of people suggesting sites to us and I guess we'll get better at picking sites and looking at how we manage it as we get more experienced.''

Mayor Dave Cull said because freedom camping was allowed in the city, the council needed to proactively manage it.

``There's no point allowing it and doing nothing, so what you've got to do is make it a positive experience and encourage good behaviour.''

At the end of April, the Thomas Burns St site will revert to casual car parking only.

Last month the council demolished a building on the site, creating additional space.

tim.miller@odt.co.nz


 

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