Asked for his comments in the wake of several complaints this week about freedom campers "sleeping rough" around the Alexandra boat ramp area, Mr Lepper said the council was still working on its camping policy.
"I'm confident we'll have something workable in place by next summer."
The policy would include designated places for various types of camping.
Where the sites would be had not been finalised, he said.
Unfortunately, there was little the council could do at present to manage freedom camping, as the policy was not finished.
However, residents could rest assured something would be in place by next summer.
Four people contacted the Otago Daily Times yesterday to say they had complained to the district council recently about people camping around the boat ramp area, sleeping in vehicles and on the ground.
Although they were told there was no bylaw forbidding camping, they all agreed with comments by an Alexandra man, reported in yesterday's ODT, that it was not "a good look" to have freedom campers so visible at one of the main entrances to the town.
Council communications manager Shirley Howden said 12 people had contacted the council in recent weeks about the campers.
"Some of those calls were to complain while others were to ask if freedom camping was permitted there," she said.
Richard Hoekstra, of Alexandra, often walks along the river bank and said he had complained to the council, pointing out there were up to 14 vehicles parked along the river bank some nights.
"They are cooking and sleeping out in the open and I've seen men who are camping there urinating out in the open as well, even though there's toilets nearby. If it's become such a popular spot now, what's it going to be like when the [Rugby] World Cup is on?"
Another of the complaints was from Edgar Cantelin , of Alexandra, who said campers were at the site day and night.
It was a beautiful part of town and it was unfortunate the campers were so visible to anyone travelling over the Alexandra bridge.
"There's camping grounds and other designated places they can camp. I think it's a shame one of the first sights for people coming into town over the bridge is a group of campers along the river bank," he said.
A woman who regularly walks her dogs beside the river also complained to the council about the visitors living in their vehicles.
"There's often washing hung out, so they're staying for a while. Having people camping there just looks awful," she said.
However, Alexandra resident Tom Lamb contacted the Otago Daily Times to defend the freedom campers.
"I don't have an issue with the manner in which this area is currently being used, as I believe those who do stay stay only a couple of nights and move on.
"They look pretty orderly to me."
Mr Lamb, a regular visitor to the boat ramp area, said the area was clean and tidy.
Since public toilets were constructed on the site, there was less rubbish.
"Prior to the arrival of the toilets, I did have an issue with all those who abused the area - and this included daytime and local visitors."
Acting Sergeant Liz Williams, of Alexandra, said to her knowledge, police had not received any complaints about campers around the boat ramp area.
