Meeting to discuss camping trial

Clutha officials will meet again with Owaka residents next week, as controversial plans for a freedom camping trial in the town take clearer shape.

Catlins residents and accommodation providers expressed serious reservations regarding the trial after it was unveiled at an August 8 council meeting.

Original proposals for three sites hosting up to 25 self-contained campervans each, at a total cost of $25,000, had since been dramatically scaled down, Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan told the Otago Daily Times yesterday.

He said the council was now looking at a single site behind the Catlins Inn, in Inn St, adjoining the town's campervan dump station, which would host eight vans.

Freedom campers would be able to stay at the site for 48 hours, before being encouraged to move on by the Catlins responsible camping ranger.

A second Owaka site would only be considered after further consultation with residents, Mr Cadogan said.

"There were some clear business and residential sensitivities to the trial, so we've since talked to people and taken account of those. Now we want to provide an update, particularly to show local campground owners how we intend to encourage campers to use their paid facilities.

"We hope this will give structure to the situation, and provide much clearer messaging."

Resident Jenny Kinley, whose son Blair and his young family live opposite the proposed site, said her family remained unhappy with the proposal.

The council's "under the table" approach to the project had left a sour taste.

"We're pretty cross. It's been disappointing the way we originally found out it was happening through neighbours, rather than council. I expect they didn't want to make waves, but this outcome just means there'll be continual noise and disruption this summer."

Occupants of a self-contained campervan using the dump station yesterday said they favoured the scheme.

The Mid Canterbury couple, who did not wish to be named, said they would use the facility if they returned.

"We want to be responsible campers, so if there were official provisions in place, we'd use them."

New Zealand was unusual globally in allowing "freedom" camping.

"It needs rebranding. Let's charge freedom campers a nominal fee to keep New Zealand clean and green, and encourage a bit of responsibility for what they've come to see in the first place."

The trial is expected to begin at Labour Weekend and run until April.

A public meeting will occur at the proposed site at 2pm on Tuesday.