Press Release – Gisborne District Council Council is holding three drop-in sessions to provide assistance and information for those wanting to make a submission on the draft Freedom Camping Bylaw 2021. Consultation is currently open on the draft bylaw, reviewed to address issues arising from freedom …
Council is holding three drop-in sessions to provide assistance and information for those wanting to make a submission on the draft Freedom Camping Bylaw 2021.
Consultation is currently open on the draft bylaw, reviewed to address issues arising from freedom and summer camping in the district.
The drop-in sessions are not community meetings but rather an opportunity to speak to staff about what is being proposed, receive information and support to make a submission.
Friday, 12 March 2021, 8:01 am
Council is holding three drop-in sessions to provide
assistance and information for those wanting to make a
submission on the draft Freedom Camping Bylaw
2021.
Consultation is currently open on the draft
bylaw, reviewed to address issues arising from freedom and
summer camping in the district.
The drop-in sessions
are not community meetings but rather an opportunity to
speak to staff about what is being proposed, receive
information and support to make a submission.
The
draft bylaw establishes the seasonal freedom camping season
from Labour weekend to April 30 and permits will be
free.
Seasonal freedom camping areas and services
It was meant to stop freedom campers but locals prevented from getting to a popular Golden Bay fishing spot are “shocked” and “vehemently opposed” at their loss of access.
Nina Hindmarsh/Stuff
Marina and Karl Adams of Takaka Camping and Cabins, at their empty campgrounds. The couple say freedom camping has almost driven them out of business, and they welcome the changes to the new bylaw, which closed two of Golden Bay s only designated freedom camping sites for non-self-contained vehicles.
Freedom camping is “killing” small campgrounds, a Golden Bay owner says. “No matter how much we charge, we can’t compete with ‘free’,” said Karl Adams, the owner of Takaka Camping and Cabins. ”Ultimately, freedom camping has killed us.” The Tasman District Council amended its Freedom Camping Bylaw in early-December, with councillors voting to close controversial sites at Waitapu Bridge and Taupata Reserve.