In a report to this week’s full council meeting, community services general manager Thune Cloete is asking the council to authorise the installation of lockable gates at the northern end of the Lake Hayes Reserve and the Shotover Delta.
The gates would be locked each night at 10pm and reopened at 5.30am.
Before Christmas, the council installed a gate at the northern end of Lake Hayes, but that enabled freedom camping in one area of the reserve.
Anyone found parked overnight in the restricted area was issued with a $200 infringement notice.If the new gates are approved, no vehicles will be able to park at either of the areas overnight without being ticketed.
New signage to "clearly advise the rules" would also be erected.In a statement, Dr Cloete said it was the first step towards addressing "irresponsible behaviour by a minority of freedom campers".
Both the Lake Hayes Reserve and parts of the lower Shotover Delta were classified as recreation reserves under the Reserves Act. That defined their purpose and how they were administered.
"Recreation reserves are intended for sports and recreation activities, and for the welfare and enjoyment of the public.
"Also for the protection of the natural environment and amenity.
"As these sites are a combination of council-owned and administered, QLDC is empowered and responsible for protecting the general wellbeing of the reserves, and we believe these overnight restrictions will retain the quality of the reserves whilst preserving public access."
The report to Thursday’s meeting also considered other options to address the issues raised by the community, including creating an "interim alternative" camping site at the Lower Shotover Bridge.
That was no longer deemed appropriate because it was likely to generate "equally concerning issues on the site and surrounding area".
Instead, the paper recommended the council continue with overnight closures of the two biggest problem spots and "urgently progress" a review of both the Freedom Camping Control Bylaw and the Arrowtown Lake Hayes Reserve Management Plan, as well as develop a new district-wide camping strategy.
"This strategy will set a long-term direction of camping that balances the needs of local residents alongside those of increasing visitor numbers," Dr Cloete said.
Meanwhile, the council was seeking community feedback and suggestions regarding the challenges posed by more freedom camping in the district.
