Ideas wanted on how to protect Kaikōura surf break from freedom campers

Friday, 21 June 2019

A 'master plan' is being developed for the area around the Meatworks surf break in Kaikōura.

Freedom camping could be banned at a famous South Island surf break, as consultation begins on how to protect the Kaikōura treasure.

The Kaikōura District Council wants to develop a 'master plan' for the area along Kiwa Rd and around the Meatworks surf break and has asked for public feedback.

The consultation document said the number of people using the area had grown significantly over the past few years and caused issues including damage to the environment, safety concerns and concern for the protection of wahi tapu sacred places and mahinga kai areas where traditional food was obtained.

Sixteen surf spots are dotted along this strip of coastline. The area also has an urupa burial site, residential properties and is growing in popularity among freedom campers.

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Following the consultation, a landscape architect would draw up a draft masterplan for the area. The draft masterplan would be put forward for another round of consultation later this year.

This proposal was different to one put forward by the NZ Transport Agency and KiwiRail last year, to relocate a car park and build a cycleway at popular surf break Mangamaunu Bay.

Kaikōura District Council spokeswoman said the project was 'absolutely independent' from NZTA's attempt to develop Mangamaunu last year.

They had gathered initial ideas from Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura and groups such as DOC, residents and surfers before opening up a public consultation, she said.

One toilet services freedom campers on Kiwa Rd near the Meatworks surf break.

'The plans that NZTA put out generated some very strong views and feedback,' she said.

'Council looked at what happened … we've done everything we can to make sure what is done this time is much better.'

The consultation documents said the Kiwa road area was seen by many users including those who whakapapa to the area, as an iconic Kaikōura treasure with cultural significance.

Proposed options included developing infrastructure to encourage people to use the area respectfully. Infrastructure could include things such as picnic areas, bins, seating, showers or toilets.

Another option was to develop an environmental design such as fencing, native plantings, boulders and landscaping to restrict vehicle or pedestrian access to certain areas.

They could also used a Freedom Camping bylaw to control camping. This could include a complete ban for all camping in the area, a complete ban for non-self-contained camping in the area, or a partial ban for some areas.

Another option was establishing a low fee camp ground in an appropriate area including toilets and showers that all area users could use for a fee, or to redesign parking areas to increase or decrease available parking.

'Do nothing', and continue the current level of service, was another option listed.

Mangamaunu Preservation Society chairwoman Annie Bermingham said it was good to see council had laid out a clear process of community engagement.

'Considering the length of time Council has had this funding and been working on the project, the two week feedback timeline is tight,' Bermingham said.

Surfers walk down to the beach at Mangamaunu, near where the 'master plan' is being mooted.

'We would like to see it extended so that a wide range of groups can have the opportunity to discuss this at their monthly meetings as part of business as usual.'

She said Meatworks surf break was one of 17 nationally significant surf breaks within policy 16 of the New Zealand Coastal Policy statement.

'And as such has highest protections akin to those of a national park. We expect that these national safeguards are upheld throughout the process,' Bermingham said.

Development is proposed for the area near the popular surfbreak Mangamaunu.

Kaikoura surfer Ian Surgenor said he thought the area should be levelled and landscaped using natural materials such as boulders and coastal native trees.

'Freedom campers are not going to go away,' Surgenor said.

He thought they could be better contained with the appropriate landscaping. He also said the area needed another toilet block, slightly north near the surfbreak called Graveyards.

'We need to create an area there that looks good, that caters for a certain number of freedom campers.

The number of tourists, surfers and non surfers, was 'only going to increase', he said.

Kiwa Rd resident Dr Richard Collison had lived on the road for 20 years and said he had seen the area degraded by freedom campers.

Collison said he wanted freedom camping banned from the area, or strict regulations put in place.

'Despite the policy of responsible camping, people just don't listen anymore,' Collison said.

It was too far out of town for Council to adequately monitor the area, and they should look for freedom camping sites closer to town, he said.

The council obtained $35,650 of funding to consult and develop a masterplan for the Kiwa Road area from the government Tourism Infrastructure Fund. It was expected to co-fund the project.Public consultation opened on June 18 and runs until July 1.

Public submissions can be made: www.kaikoura.govt.nz/latest-news/council-welcomes-funding-to-help-investigate-solutions-for-freedom-camping-trouble-spot/