Freedom campers may face hefty fines

BY JOHN EDENS

Rugby fans flocking to New Zealand for the World Cup next year could face stiff fines if they decide to freedom camp.

A change in the law to stamp out irresponsible tourism is a step closer after South Island councils yesterday unanimously resolved to support an enforcement regime.

At a local government meeting in Dunedin, district representatives, including Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Clive Geddes, agreed to ask Local Government New Zealand to work with the Government to develop legislative changes and introduce fines for messy campers.

Mr Geddes said it was important campervan hire companies bore some responsibility if customers failed to heed regulations.

"Too many tourists are simply leaving the country without paying fines," he said.

LGNZ chief executive officer Eugene Bowen said the aim was introduce a fines-based regime in time for the Rugby World Cup.

Westland District Council Mayor Maureen Pugh said legislative change could take years but introducing a national environmental standard before the World Cup was an option.

A one-size-fits-all law might not be the best option because district councils had area-specific difficulties, she said.

Legislation Minister Nick Smith, who was at the meeting, was supportive and so was the tourism industry, she said.

Delegates stressed that without a new regime district councils would not be able to cope with the influx of visitors next year.

Lake Hawea Holiday Park manager Lou Hocken said travellers in vans without toilets were the main concern.

But it was not just backpackers who dumped waste, he said.

"I have seen New Zealand Motor Caravan Association members basically breaking all the rules in the book by dumping grey waste.

"It's the smaller vans dumping black waste."

Frankton Motor Camp proprietor Graeme O'Rourke said the onus was on campervan firms to educate customers about obligations.

"There's always going to be an element that doesn't care.

"We're on the lakefront and we get people parking metres from the camp then they hop in the showers and use the amenities," Mr O'Rourke said.

Last month more than 30 groups discussed continuing abuse of beauty spots when the Tourism Industry Association-led freedom camping forum met in Auckland.

Delegates agreed a change in the law was necessary.

- © Fairfax NZ News