Mayor’s column: Tighter freedom camping rules

Council will tomorrow consider a new Responsible Camping Bylaw to address long-standing problems with freedom campers, some of whom pollute our environment, trash our parks and take us for a ride.

These problems date back many years, but they were less prominent with the collapse of tourism when the borders closed for Covid. I support the Government’s renewed effort to rebuild tourism – it is a vital to Nelson’s economic recovery. However, we need tighter rules for these campers.

Council helps provide affordable camping sites in Nelson by allowing its land like that at Tāhunanui, worth $9 million, to be leased cheaply for the Beach Camp. We also provide the land for the Brook campground that we leased last year to the adjacent Sanctuary. We are planning to soon lease Council’s Maitai campground. It makes no sense for Council to be requiring good facilities at professionally run campgrounds and then letting people camp for free wherever they like.

The previous approach to what constitutes a “self-contained” vehicle has been a joke with a bucket in the boot and a sticker bought for a $1. I commend the Government for addressing this problem with a new law that requires “self-contained” be certified by a registered plumber.

Council receives approximately 240 complaints a year about freedom campers. Most complaints relate to designated areas at the cricket ground in the Maitai Valley, Isel Park in Stoke and at Kinzett Terrace, off SH6. They include concerns about rubbish, a lack of sanitation, campers ignoring the limits on numbers, staying more than the two nights and unruly behaviour. The new bylaw proposes prohibiting freedom camping in these three controversial areas.

We get few complaints about freedom camping in the central city’s Buxton, Wakatu and Montgomery carparks. Enforcement is easier with parking wardens on hand. These campers add vitality to the city by spending at our cafes, bars and shops. We propose expanding the numbers allowed in these carparks.

We welcome feedback on the proposed bylaw after consideration by Council tomorrow. Submissions will close on 7 May 2025. My hope is to have new rules in place for next summer.