Fines for campers says board

Slapping freedom campers with fines similar to fishing licence infringements would deter irresponsible tourism, the Otago Conservation Board chair said yesterday.

The board, which met on Friday in Berwick, intends to lobby the Tourism Industry Association-led freedom camping forum to push for a national policy.

The forum meets in Auckland today, when more than 20 stakeholders will discuss continuing abuse of beauty spots around the country. However, Otago Conservation Board chair Hoani Langsbury said he was not convinced the TIA "had the teeth" to push for a national policy.

Regulations governing the dumping of waste were adequate but a fines-based regime similar to fishing licence infringements was the sensible option, he said.

"If people were getting fined it would get into some of the blog sites. Peer pressure will do it long term, it does it for fishing."

Earlier this month the Hawea Community Association paid to block with boulders access to three areas spoiled by campers on the shores of Lake Hawea.

Association president Rachel Brown said irresponsible campers left beaches "too disgusting to use" because faeces, toilet paper and sanitary towels littered lake edges.

She said the forum, convened in 2008 by the TIA, had done little to improve camping in New Zealand and questioned whether its website, camping.org, was effective.

"Unfortunately the truth of the matter is that communities like ourselves have yet to see any changes on the ground."

- © Fairfax NZ News

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