Southlanders invited to have say on camping

The Southland District Council is seeking public feedback on its draft camping control bylaw, which is aimed at ensuring freedom camping in the region remains well managed, sustainable and accessible for all.

Council property officer Virginia Dillon said the draft would replace the 2000 bylaw and update guidelines for those camping in designated public areas, including reserves.

The original bylaw was designed to strike a good balance between giving people the freedom to stay in certain areas and the needs of others, as well as factoring in environmental, public health, safety and wellbeing considerations.

“It laid good foundations for managing freedom camping in our district, giving Southlanders and visitors the chance to enjoy our great outdoors in a way that’s affordable and fun,” Mrs Dillon said.

A key change proposed in the draft bylaw centred on the length of time freedom campers could stay at one location.

“Essentially, the original bylaw allowed campers to remain in an area for 28 days per month. What’s happening, in some cases, though, is that they stay for that 28 days, go away for a day and then return, which wasn’t the bylaw’s intention.

“So, to settle any ambiguity or misinterpretation, we’re proposing the time allowance be changed to permit campers to stay in one place for 28 days per year.”

The amendment would give freedom campers clearer guidelines and also make sure access to designated areas was more fair and equitable, she said.

Copies of the draft bylaw and maps of areas open to freedom campers were available for viewing at all Southland District Council offices.

“The revised bylaw is only a draft at this stage, and we’d encourage anyone who has an interest to come and have a look at what we’re proposing and share their feedback and ideas through the submission process.”

Submissions on the draft camping control bylaw would close on January 28.