The Freedom Camping Bylaw came into force on 4 July 2016. The introduction of the Self-Contained Motor Vehicles Legislation Act 2023 means that the Bylaw requires a review. It is an opportune time to do a full review and examine all freedom camping sites and look into what other improvements can be made to the Bylaw.
Key changes:
The introduction of town boundary maps. All freedom camping within the red town boundary is prohibited on council owned or managed land except where it is permitted.
Section 10 of the Freedom Camping Act now states that ‘Freedom camping is permitted in any local authority area unless it is restricted or prohibited in that area. In summary, people can freedom camp on all local authority land in a tent or self-contained motor vehicle unless the area is identified as a prohibited or restricted area.
It is expensive to install and maintain signage to prohibit freedom camping in all our public places such as playgrounds, parks, sports fields, footpaths, carparks, and road reserves. The benefits of using town boundary maps are a reduction in the amount of freedom camping signs that need to be installed and maintained. The town boundary maps make the Bylaw more concise and user friendly, and it encourages people to camp in areas that are suitable for freedom camping.
The removal of some freedom camping sites
Some freedom camping sites are not suitable for freedom camping due to the access to the site, the location of the site, and the safety risk to campers.
Allowing non-self-contained vehicles at some freedom camping sites
Some sites support the use of tents and non-self-contained vehicles due to the facilities available on site, where possible we want to support all types of freedom camping.
The inclusion of a special events section
We want to continue to allow tents, non-self-contained vehicles, and self-contained vehicles to attend and support organised community events. For each town we have identified areas that can support a large number of campers, event organisers must seek consent from the Chief Executive prior to the event.