Affluent Auckland seaside suburb kicks back against proposed freedom camper zone

Friday, 22 June 2018

Auckland Council want to give self-contained freedom campers a designated spot in Takapuna and Milford but the local board aren't having a bar of it. Photo: File.

Auckland Council is proposing to roll out a swathe of new sites for freedom camping, but decision-makers in affluent Takapuna are not keen to welcome the tourists.

The council has recommended two new freedom camping sites in the area, but the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board says the estuary near the Milford marina is 'environmentally sensitive' and the busy Takapuna Beach boat ramp is downright dangerous.

'In relation to the Takapuna boat ramp, that is a very busy, congested area. If we permitted freedom camping, it would go against the prime purpose of that area,' chairperson George Wood said.

'We don't believe that we have locations that are conducive to freedom camping.'

**READ MORE:

'Council isn't supplying their compliance section with sufficient resources and capacity to do their job' - Devonport-Takapuna Local Board member Mike Cohen.

* Freedom camping: 'We all need to step up'

* Freedom camping: Australia versus New Zealand

Takapuna Beach Holiday Park are concerned about the noise created by potential freedom campers over their front fence.

* Auckland Council frees up 29 new overnight spots for freedom camping**

At a meeting held on Monday night, the board laid out a number of reasons for not supporting the boat ramp site, including health and safety issues for children and additional vehicles at an already busy location.

Board member Mike Cohen also chimed in, saying current enforcement of freedom camping rules was under-resourced.

'We have one section of council that's come up with all these wonderful bylaws but they don't seem to connect up the dots,' Cohen said.

'It's hard to be supportive when they're not enforcing the areas where it's already prohibited.'

Takapuna Beach Holiday Park was also concerned by the prospect of a new freedom camping site just 50m away at the boat ramp. Assistant manager Lydia Rothmann said it would be an 'inconvenience'.

'We normally check on our campers to make sure they're behaving [but] nobody would be able to keep them quiet which would have a negative impact,' Rothmann said.

Under the Freedom Camping Act 2011, freedom camping was permitted in any local authority area unless it was restricted or prohibited by a bylaw or other enactment.

According to the Department of Conservation, camping in a prohibited or restricted area could result in a $200 infringement fee.

'We understand the concerns from local boards and members of the community regarding the affect that freedom camping may have on their communities,' Auckland Council spokeswoman Megan Tyler said.

'However, this remains a proposal at this stage and we will be working closely with local boards on matters including location, impact on amenities and compliance resourcing before any changes take effect.'