Council receives grant to assist with responsible camping

The Central Otago District Council (CODC) has received a Freedom Camping Transitional Funding grant of $110,000 to carry on its work in encouraging responsible camping and to assist in the development of a bylaw.

The funding comes at a time when the Government is in the process of making proposed changes to how freedom camping works in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Self-Contained Motor Vehicles Amendment Bill has been introduced to Parliament and is currently being considered by the Economic Development, Science and Innovation Select Committee.

The changes seek to give central and local government a robust regulatory system to reduce the negative effects of freedom camping on communities and the environment. This includes establishing a new regulated system for the certification and registration of self-contained vehicles. The transition period is expected to take two years.

As in previous years, the Council has been using Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) grants for education and enforcement of campers at the LINZ sites around Lake Dunstan and on its own site at Pinders Pond near Roxburgh.

“Camping around New Zealand continues to be a popular method for touring Aotearoa and exploring Central Otago,” CODC Parks and Recreation Manager Gordon Bailey said.

“It’s important we continually educate people using these areas to leave them in great condition for the next occupants.”

The transitional grant also includes funding to assist Council in the development of a Responsible Camping Bylaw that the Council may need to create as the Government progresses through amending legislation, which if passed into law, could require the Council to have a bylaw to control responsible camping within the district. At the moment, the Council does not have a bylaw.

Government consultation with the public on the proposed regulatory changes closed 6 October. Information is available on the MBIE website https://www.mbie.govt.nz/immigration-and-tourism/tourism/tourism-projects/supporting-sustainable-freedom-camping-in-aotearoa-new-zealand/transition-fund-for-local-authorities/