Central Otago mayor calls for 0800 number to report 'undesirable' campers

Tuesday, 23 January 2018

Lake Hayes locals want a zero tolerance approach when it comes to people setting up camp and leaving a mess on their shores. The residents have been drumming up support for a major crackdown on freedom campers with thousands of people from around t

An 0800 number to report undesirable campers around the country should be introduced, Central Otago mayor Tim Cadogan says.

Thousands of freedom campers descend on Central Otago over the summer often attracting criticism for the mess they leave behind.

Cadogan said he was advocating for an 0800 number to be instituted similar to a *555 number for poor drivers, but in this case for poor campers, so responsible campers could safely report their 'less desirable counterparts'.

Freedom campers at Bendigo in Central Otago.

'This would need to be a nationwide approach with consequences similarly nationwide. My view is that a system whereby people reported could be trespassed from DoC, LINZ, Transit and land owned or controlled by participating councils would act as a significant deterrent to poor behaviour.'

Most areas people camped at in Central Otago was controlled by LINZ, not council, so the council could not make bylaws for land it did not control or own, he said.

'That fact leaves council two options: One would be to ask the Crown to vest the land into council control. I have concerns about the effect of that course of action as essentially we would be asking to take over someone else's problem, and the costs associated with that. Those costs would be significant and would have to be borne by the ratepayer.

'I have not heard a cry for peoples rates to go up in order that council takes over the responsibility for dealing with those problems. The second option of working with LINZ to improve the areas that campers use as well as ensuring compliance with rules is one that costs the ratepayers of Central Otago little. My view is that the relationship between LINZ and CODC has improved immensely over the last year or so and continuing to work in that way is the best means of improving the situation.'

There had been some calls to ban freedom camping outright, he said.

'I believe it would be akin to herding cats; each time an enforcement officer finds a camper and deals with them, they would go somewhere else, somewhere more secluded and, once there, I believe they would be more likely to desecrate the area.'

'Council's policy of working with LINZ to develop sites to better cope with the reality of freedom camping has resulted in greater volumes in defined places with a significant drop off in campers pock-marked around, in particular, Lake Dunstan. Council own surveys show a quantified significant decrease in campers setting up outside the permitted areas since the policy was introduced. The problems created by irresponsible campers sadly will never be completely eradicated; however I believe our policy in limiting the effect as much as practically possible'.

Council park and recreation manager Matt Begg said this summer the council had received five public comments on camping.

'These have been around tidiness at Pinders Pond, rubbish at Lowburn Inlet, camping at the Manorburn Dam and camping at an area on the Queenstown Cromwell Road.'

Numbers using the camping areas seemed on a par with last year, he said.

Land Information New Zealand Deputy Chief Executive Crown Property Jerome Sheppard said problems this summer had been 'minimal'. However, they were considering more active monitoring of the sites in the future.

They managed sites including Bendigo, Lowburn and Jacksons Inlet in Central Otago, and Pines Camp in the Mackenzie district.

'This is a busy time of year with high numbers of visitors to these areas, for example around 1800 vehicle movements were recently logged over a week-long period at Lowburn.'

Despite the large numbers, the vast majority of campers and day visitors using these areas did so responsibly, he said.

'We have only experienced a few minor issues so far this summer. While we don't keep a tally of any complaints we receive, if issues are brought to our attention we investigate and deal with them as soon as possible.'

Over the summer LINZ had contractors visit sites daily to ensure they were maintained, that toilet blocks were cleaned and rubbish was removed.

'We are also continuing to work with local councils to ensure freedom camping areas are safely and efficiently managed. We are considering future options for these sites, including more active monitoring. If people do have concerns or complaints, they should contact our contractors, Colliers International, in Queenstown.'