The Queenstown Lakes District Council’s (QLDC) new freedom camping bylaw came into effect at the start of this month and introduced 15 freedom campsites across the district — among them, Allenby Park.
Mary-Louise Schroder, who lives near the park, said freedom campers used areas at the expense of locals.
"There are no toilets on the main drag at the bottom of Mt Iron and I do not believe people are using the small bathrooms in their cramped caravans."
The constant trail of caravans was "absolute madness".
Of 49 submissions from residents, 46 were against the bylaw.
Another nearby resident saw human excrement covered in toilet paper sitting on the gravel outside a campervan.
In her submission, she wrote about having a real concern for health and safety, she said.
"I feel totally ignored."
Another Allenby Pl resident said he "constantly saw toilet paper all over the show".
"It’s not pleasant any more when you see that, that’s what I’m worried about — you won’t want to put your foot anywhere near a bush."
The council had not done enough to look out for the locals, the resident said.
"I think it’s a nutty idea to think that you could come into a city and think you have a free place to stay. I think it’s naive."
A council spokesperson said QLDC’s daily patrol of freedom campsites comprised three groups of enforcement.
"In the first 12 days of the bylaw, enforcement officers issued 51 infringements under the Freedom Camping Act, $400, and 13 under the Reserves Act, $800," they said.
The spokesperson said local bylaws were limited in both what they could address and the areas to which they applied.
Mayor John Glover said the freedom camping act was written to abide by government legislation.
"What we’ve got now is our best attempt at complying with government legislation and we are seeing some significant issues that are impacting our communities and I think the best thing is to direct that anger, that frustration and that need for change back to the elected representatives whose job it is to deal with that stuff at a national government level.
"It’s not wiggling out of an answer, it’s putting the responsibility back where it should lie," he said.
Deputy mayor Quentin Smith, who was the only council member to vote against the freedom camping bylaw, said his belief at the time was that freedom camping was not appropriate in urban areas.
"I’m worried what summer will bring, Wānaka just can’t provide for the level of demand it currently has and will continue to receive.
"While the bylaw helps in some regards, it also has the unintended consequence of advertising and promoting and really focusing people into certain areas, which has its effects," he said.
Many freedom camping areas in Wānaka were over-run and while three campers in parks might not be a lot, it was the 50 to 60 other campers that were driving into that carpark until 11pm, Mr Smith said.
"It’s really frustrating with the additional traffic on that street and it’s not really achieving anything because the parks are being taken from 4pm," he said.
The council website said the bylaw allowed freedom camping in certified self-contained vehicles in 15 designated carpark sites (141 spaces) across the district, and campers may not stay more than two nights within a 30 day period.
On the council website, QLDC general manager community services Ken Bailey said the new bylaw aimed to balance community concerns while staying within the requirements of the freedom camping act.
"This new bylaw strengthens our ability to manage freedom camping activities across the district to ensure areas remain safe, protected and accessible to everyone," he said.
