Freedom Camping Bylaw

Submissions closed on 05 September 2021, 05:00 PM

Freedom camping at Moutoa Quay

Whanganui District Council has implemented a freedom camping bylaw. It limits the number of nights freedom campers can stay in several places, limit the number of vehicles that can be freedom camping at any one time in a given area, and restrict camping to certified self-contained vehicles where appropriate.

Freedom camping is a popular, low-cost way for visitors to see our district who might otherwise not have done so. Further, freedom camping has been increasingly accepted as a reality across New Zealand, with the Freedom Camping Act 2011 actively preventing local authorities from prohibiting it outright.

Whanganui District Council is proposing to put restrictions on freedom camping in certain areas of the district and prohibit freedom camping in others. Proposed restrictions and prohibitions for Springvale Park and Kowhai Park camping areas have been informed by complaints received from the community.  Most complaints were about how long visitors were staying in one place. 

Other restrictions/prohibitions are targeted at areas the council either wants to prevent camping, or wants to encourage camping but within responsible rules.  The rules are in place to protect the areas, access to them, or the health and safety of visitors.

While these restrictions won’t resolve all freedom camping complaints, it is expected that they will impact on most of them by preventing campers from staying in prominent places for extended periods and spreading out around their vehicles.

The council is also interested in hearing your suggestions for areas that should be restricted or prohibited and why. 

Freedom camping areas

View a larger version of this map

Frequently asked questions

Options


Areas based on complaints


Kowhai Park

The area between the boat ramp and the Anzac Parade toilets.

1A - Proposed restrictions

Restrictions

Advantages

Disadvantages

Max stay of 2 nights per calendar month. 
Max 10 vehicles at any one time.

There would be enforceable limits on visitor numbers and length of stay.

Freedom campers may move to surrounding areas.

1B - Existing restrictions

Any area of Kowhai Park outside of the restricted area above.

2A - Proposed prohibition

Restrictions

Advantages

Disadvantages

Freedom camping prohibited.

Freedom campers would be limited to the restricted area, leaving the rest free for park visitors.

The concentration of freedom campers in the restricted area may increase.

2B - Existing prohibition

Springvale Park

The Jubilee Stadium carpark.

3A - Proposed restrictions

Restrictions

Advantages

Disadvantages

Max stay of 2 nights per calendar month.

Max 10 vehicles at any one time.

Certified self-contained vehicles only.

Freedom campers would be prevented from occupying parking spaces for extended periods.

Vehicle number limits would ensure parking spaces are still available for visitors.

The area would be less available for freedom campers.


3B - Existing restrictions

Anywhere outside of the Jubilee Stadium carpark.

4A - Proposed prohibition

Restrictions

Advantages

Disadvantages

Freedom camping prohibited.

Campers will be kept off the grassed areas and other spaces around the Park.

None.

4B - Existing prohibition

Areas in which Council wants to encourage freedom camping under restrictions


Babbage Place

The carpark immediately to the left when entering from Great North Road.

5A - Proposed restrictions

Restrictions

Advantages

Disadvantages

Max stay of 2 nights per calendar month.

Max 4 vehicles at any one time.

Certified self-contained vehicles only.

Freedom camping prohibited outside the hours of 7pm to 10am.

Camping paraphernalia must be contained to the vehicle.

The visual presence of campers would be reduced, creating less impact on the surrounding area.

The area attached to state highway 3 being restricted may cause campers to move to nearby unrestricted areas.

5B - Existing restrictions

Bason Botanic Gardens

6A - Proposed restrictions

Restrictions

Advantages

Disadvantages

Freedom camping prohibited.

Council would be able to enforce restrictions and keep freedom campers from camping in the Bason.

None.

6B - Existing prohibitions

Blyth Street

The parking spaces at the centre of the cul-de-sac at the top of the hill.

7A - Proposed restrictions

Restrictions

Advantages

Disadvantages

Max stay of 2 nights per calendar month.

Max 4 vehicles at any one time.

Freedom camping prohibited outside the hours of 7pm to 10am.

Camping paraphernalia must be contained to the vehicle.

Views and the residential environment will be protected.

Parking spots will be kept available for visitors.

None.


7B - Existing restrictions

Castlecliff Beach

 

Both upper and middle carparks.

8A - Proposed restrictions

Restrictions

Advantages

Disadvantages

Max stay of 2 nights per calendar month.

Max 10 vehicles at any one time.

Certified self-contained vehicles only.

Campers would still be able to use this area, but with the majority of carparks still available for casual visitors.

None.

8B - Existing restrictions

Central Business District

The area bordered by St Hill Street, Dublin Street, Wicksteed Street, Cameron Terrace, Bell Street, Market Place, and Taupo Quay.

9A - Proposed prohibition

Restrictions

Advantages

Disadvantages

Freedom camping prohibited.

The parks in and around the city centre would be kept available for resident use.

None.

9B - Existing prohibition

Moutoa Quay

The carpark overlooking the river between 9 and 35 Taupo Quay.

10A - Proposed restrictions

Restrictions

Advantages

Disadvantages

Max stay of 2 nights per calendar month.

Max 5 vehicles at any one time.

No camping on Friday nights.

Freedom campers would be restricted from staying in place too long.

Campers would be prevented from camping here on Friday nights to allow the market to set up.

None.

10B - Existing restrictions

Mowhanau

The lookout over Kai Iwi Beach.

11A - Proposed restrictions

Restrictions

Advantages

Disadvantages

Max stay of 2 nights per calendar month.

Max 3 vehicles at any one time.

Certified self-contained vehicles only.

Campers would be restricted to the areas away from the houses and the beach.

None.

11B - Current restrictions

Pukenamu Drive

The carpark overlooking Bell Street.

12A - Proposed restrictions

Restrictions

Advantages

Disadvantages

Max stay of 1 night per calendar month.

Max 2 vehicles at any one time.

Certified self-contained vehicles only.

Camping paraphernalia must be contained to the vehicle.

No large vehicles.

Carparks would be kept available for visitors.

Long vehicles would be prohibited.

None.

12B - Existing restrictions

Whanganui River Road

The entire length of the Whanganui River Road.

13A - Proposed restrictions

Restrictions

Advantages

Disadvantages

Max stay of 2 nights per calendar month.

Certified self-contained vehicles only.

This would prevent freedom campers from being in one place long enough to collect waste.

None.

13B - Existing restrictions

Taupo Quay

The open section at 83 Taupo Quay.

14A - Proposed restrictions

Restrictions

Advantages

Disadvantages

Max stay of 2 nights per calendar month.

Max 3 vehicles at any one time.

Certified self-contained vehicles only.

Restrictions would keep parks available for visitors.

None.

14B - Existing restrictions

Westmere Lake

The Westmere Lake carpark.

15A - Proposed restrictions

Restrictions

Advantages

Disadvantages

Max stay of 2 nights per calendar month.

Max 3 vehicles at any one time.

Certified self-contained vehicles only.

There would be enough space for visitors in addition to freedom campers.

None.

15B - Current restrictions

Option 16 – Buffer Zones

Restriction

Advantages

Disadvantages

Buffer zones prohibit freedom camping within a certain distance of areas identified in the Bylaw.

Campers would be funnelled towards restricted areas and away from prohibited areas.

This would prohibit freedom camping in more areas of the district.


Option 17 – Other Areas

Let us know what other areas you would like to see restrictions in and why.