Freedom camping site closed due to safety concerns

Published on 16 December 2024

Due to health and safety concerns, Whanganui District Council is temporarily closing the Anzac Parade freedom camping site.

Current occupants of the site, many of whom are homeless, have been asked to remove camping gear, vehicles and personal belongings from the site and the adjacent reserve by Wednesday, 18 December.

Mayor Andrew Tripe says the decision to close the site is based on safety reasons. “The situation there has become entirely unsafe, both for the campers on the land themselves and for members of the public wanting to access these areas.”

He says the campsite for homeless people was allowed as a temporary measure during the first Covid-19 lockdown in 2020. “Since then,” he says, “the issue of homelessness has become pressing throughout the country and the Anzac Parade situation has become increasingly problematic.

“In Whanganui we are making a genuine and concerted effort, along with multiple agencies, to find solutions to address the needs of those in our community who are homeless.

“We remain committed to continuing to support vulnerable people in our community who are genuinely homeless, by partnering with community support agencies such as the Whanganui People’s Centre, to provide wrap-around support and to help people into housing and sustain their tenancies.”

While he says this approach has proved successful, with 42 people supported into housing over the last year, Mayor Andrew says, “Right now we are faced with a situation that the council believes poses significant risk to the public, our staff and the people camping in this area.”

He says the council has received multiple complaints about the behaviour of occupants at the site including intimidation, assaults, litter, illicit substance abuse and damage to vegetation – and that a large number of people residing at the site have previous criminal offences. “I am not going to underplay or ignore these risks,” he says. “I believe we have no option but to close the site.”

The riverbank reserve area adjacent to the freedom camping site will also be closed off to cars and anyone camping there will be asked to move their belongings. Temporary permits were recently issued to allow people to camp there, enabling an annual boat race to take place in front of the freedom camping area, but these permits have expired. A chain will be reinstated to ensure cars cannot access this site in future.

Council chief executive David Langford says the council can only work within the law. “We cannot use the Freedom Camping Act or our Freedom Camping Bylaw as regulatory enforcement tools in this situation. In fact the Act exempts the homeless from any infringement or repercussions under the freedom camping bylaw.

“But under the Reserves Act and our Public Places Bylaw we can address specific issues, such as unauthorised entry onto reserve land, litter, trespass, disorderly behaviour, or obstructing a public way among other things.”

Langford says once the freedom camping site has been closed, the council will undertake compliance and animal management visits as applicable over the summer period, and security monitoring will continue. “We are also mindful of the safety and wellbeing of our staff in this environment.”

He says members of the public witnessing behaviour or events of concern in the area should call the police immediately.

Mayor Andrew says, “It’s important that the riverside walkway is a family-friendly environment that is safe for our community to enjoy.

“I acknowledge that closing the site does not change the problem of homelessness – and that for some, because of previous offending or complex personal circumstances, it will be extremely challenging for them to find suitable accommodation. Referrals to support agencies will continue, as this has made a tangible and positive difference in the lives of many individuals and families in our community.”

“In addition,” he says, “the council is looking to address long-term housing issues through the establishment of a housing trust. While managing homelessness is not generally viewed as core council business, we are working alongside other organisations and agencies and giving consideration to long-term prevention strategies, so that future councils do not find themselves in this position.”