As a result of public consultation as part of its bylaw review, councillors adopted recommendations on Tuesday to prohibit freedom camping in an area surrounding Lake Ohau Village and at the Kakanui River mouth.
At a submission hearing in August, concerns were raised about possible fire hazards caused by freedom camping in the Lake Ohau area, and the rubbish and human waste left behind.
Given the fire risk during summer months, and the October 2020 fire at Lake Ohau Village, submitters felt it needed to be addressed.
As a result of their concerns, councillors voted to adopt a recommendation to prohibit freedom camping in an area from about 1.5km west and 1.5km east of Lake Ohau Village.
In Kakanui, there were concerns that campers posed a risk to wildlife at the river mouth, and the Department of Conservation confirmed there were threatened species present in the area.
Submitters also commented on the amount of rubbish and human waste that was deposited around the river mouth.
Councillors voted to adopt the recommendation to prohibit freedom camping from the intersection of Cobblestone Rd and George St in Kakanui, up to and including the council-owned land at the river mouth.
There are alternative camping areas in Lake Ohau and Kakanui near the prohibited areas — the Doc camping area at Lake Middleton, and the Kakanui Camping Ground and All Day Bay, which is a freedom camping site with toilet facilities.
The council’s freedom camping bylaw, introduced in 2016 to address community concerns about large numbers of people camping in the Kakanui area and the associated problems, has been under review as required as part of the Local Government Act for new bylaws after five years.
Community, culture and regulatory committee chairwoman Melanie Tavendale said she was pleased the council was responding to the community’s concerns — especially in the Kakanui and Lake Ohau areas.
‘‘I think they are areas that do see a lot more than probably the general public do,’’ Cr Tavendale said.
The changes would ensure the council’s responsible freedom camping bylaw remained relevant and met the needs of the community and the environment, while still promoting tourism in the district.
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Comments
Once again campers are deemed guilty for "rubbish and human waste" when no proof is given that they are the cause. What about day-trippers and NIMBY locals who may be not averse to causing campers to be seen in a bad light?