A staff report to be presented to Queenstown Lakes district councillors this week said during the first six weeks of implementing the council’s Freedom Camping Bylaw 2025, 25% off all freedom camping complaints were related to the Allenby Pl carpark, which led to a temporary prohibition at the site.
Then, during the review of freedom camping under the bylaw over summer — covering the December 1 to March 31 period this year — freedom camping at Beacon Point Rd drew more requests for service than anywhere else.
Accordingly, both sites were the subject of a now-completed review.
While there were transport related issues at Allenby Pl carpark, the report found for both sites most issues were related to non-compliance with the bylaw ‘‘rather than presenting a set of sufficiently significant new problems that would indicate a bylaw amendment is an appropriate and proportionate response to the issues’’.
‘‘Issues at [Beacon Point Rd] are largely reflective of district-wide non-compliance themes, with the key concerns being conflict over parking availability for other users and health and safety risks associated with fouling.
‘‘However, proving that fouling is attributable to freedom campers is often difficult, particularly where behaviours occur outside the defined [restricted freedom camping area],’’ the report said.
In a statement yesterday, the council said its freedom camping bylaw had largely been effective in directing visitors to appropriate locations and managing freedom camping across the district, but the two locations in Wānaka had been the subject of ‘‘detailed research and analysis to inform potential options’’.
The resulting report outlined three options for councillors to consider at both locations, the statement said.
Councillors would weigh amending the bylaw to include additional targeted conditions, such as seasonal prohibitions; amending the bylaw to prohibit freedom camping at these locations; and keeping the status quo and making no amendments to the bylaw.
If the council decided to amend the bylaw, the next step would be to adopt a proposal with the amendments for consultation at the council’s meeting next month, followed by consultation in August.
Hearings would take place after the consultation period, and then the council would need to make a final decision on any amendment, the statement said.
‘‘Our district is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most popular camping destinations and the vast majority of freedom campers visiting over the 2025-26 summer period have been doing the right thing,’’ interim chief executive Michelle Morss said.
‘‘While high visitor numbers can at times create challenges, we continue to welcome responsible campers and will actively manage and provide education to support positive experiences for both residents and visitors,’’ she said. — Allied Media
