My Account
Mahurangi residents had a chance to air their views on changes to freedom camping rules during an afternoon held in Warkworth on Saturday, February 16.
Submissions on Auckland Council’s draft bylaw, which defines the number of sites across Auckland where freedom camping is allowed, closed on February 18.
Rodney Councillor Greg Sayers says his impression of the gathering was that many people were very angry about the “seemingly underhanded” way the bylaw was being introduced.
“They felt it was an undemocratic process because they were not able to present in person at the Council hearings,” he says. “This is a worrying and increasing trend. I believe the bylaw should be re-written to include far more open public input and it should have stronger policing provisions attached to it.”
Policing was a common theme. Algies Bay Neighbourhood Support Group convenor Vivian Pollock said Council wasn’t policing its current rules, “so how will it account for people who didn’t comply with the new bylaw”.
Snells Beach resident David Burt was concerned about the spread of the freedom campers beyond designated areas. He said at Sunburst, along the beachfront at Snells Beach, he had seen camper vans as far along the road as Dalton Road.
“These campers are blocking areas where traditionally the locals would go to park their boats, picnic, swim, and eat their fish and chips in the evening. It’s causing growing tension and the interaction between residents and campers needs to be better managed.”
Snells Beach resident Chas Benest said it was not unusual for campervans to be parked in the reserve at the end of Sunburst Avenue for weeks at a time.
He said he had raised the issue with Council on many occasions.
“About 98 per cent of campers respect the current bylaw, but it’s the other two per cent who cause all the trouble. Often they are drunk and sitting right beside the playground. Council isn’t doing anything about this, so I’m not convinced this new bylaw will help.”
Council policy manager Mike Sinclair said he had heard a mix of views in Warkworth, although many of the discussions were site specific.
“We hope to have all submissions summarised and presented to the Hearings Panel by late April and the panel will report to the Governing Body in May.”
Mr Sinclair hoped the bylaw could be fully implemented ahead of next summer.
On the question of policing the new rules, he said Council had limited powers under the current Reserves Act.
“The new bylaw, which will provide additional enforcement options, will justify us putting resources into enforcement. This will make it easier for officers to respond, which will give us greater impact on the ground.”
