With summer around the corner the Thames-Coromandel District Council is proposing changes to seven freedom camping sites and creating rules about camping on private property.

This week councillors voted to seek community feedback on proposed amendments to the Freedom Camping Bylaw and to make a Standards of Camping Bylaw.

Council is wanting to amend the Freedom Camping Bylaw to just seven sites across the district and how they are classified in the bylaw.

Those sites are in Hikutaia, Thames, Te Puru, Port Charles, Matarangi, Opito Bay and Pauanui.

It is also proposing the removal of one site from the bylaw, introducing another into the bylaw, changing the classification on four of the sites, and proposing to leave one classification the same.

They are now seeking public feedback on each of these.

Council says in the nine months its Freedom Camping Bylaw has been operational they've received positive feedback from campers, ratepayers and staff.

'The focus on these seven sites reflects feedback from staff and the public about freedom camping specifically in those areas and how we may improve this in time for the summer.”

'Our Freedom Camping Bylaw sets out our rules for freedom camping on Council land in the district.”

As a general rule, the Freedom Camping Act allows for freedom camping on local authority land.

But the council has a number of high profile areas which are prohibited for freedom camping under the Act, and others which are restricted to a designated freedom camping area.

'The other key rule we have is that all vehicles for freedom camping must be certified self-contained,” continues council.

'This certification comes from the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association and more information on what this includes and how to get certified can be found on their website.” (www.nzmca.org.nz/self-containment)

STANDARDS OF CAMPING BYLAW

Council says there are already rules and standards for commercial campgrounds in the district, through government regulations and its own District Plan.

But over the busy summer period, there is an influx of campers on private properties which can be a source of nuisance to neighbours and residents and also a risk to public health.

'The proposed Standards of Camping Bylaw sets outs rules on how close camping on private property can be to the road or neighbouring properties.

'[It] sets minimum standards of sanitation for campers, for example, around how many toilets are required per person on a property.”

HOW TO HAVE YOUR SAY

Both the Freedom Camping Bylaw amendments and proposed Camping Standards Bylaw will be available for consultation from today until 4pm Monday, October 19.

If you want to have your say on both documents you can either:

• Submit online through the consultation portal
• Email your submission to [email protected]
• Post to Thames-Coromandel District Council, Private Bag, Thames
• Fax to (07) 868 0234,
• Drop off your submission at one of the Council offices in Thames, Coromandel, Whitianga or Whangamata