DCC: Freedom Camping issues

In June, the council asked staff to consult on using the Bayfield Park site to alleviate pressure at Macandrew Bay.

### ODT Online Tue, 16 Dec 2014
Camping trial stopped
By David Loughrey
The Dunedin City Council has stopped a trial of a new freedom camping area in the city in its tracks, concerned instead of sharing the load, it may add to the problem. A full council meeting yesterday debated a staff proposal to consider freedom camping at a car park next to Bayfield Park and Bayfield High School. But ongoing issues at a site at Macandrew Bay helped make seven of the 13 councillors present wary enough of the idea to vote against it.
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█ Report – Council – 15/12/2014 (PDF, 3.1 MB)
Proposed Additional Self-Contained Freedom Camping Trial Site at Bayfield Park

DCC Webmap – Bayfield carpark [click to enlarge]

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From the report:

SUMMARY
Three trial sites for campers in non-self-contained vehicles were approved by the Council as part of a package of policy initiatives in September 2013. Over the 2013/2014 summer season a number of implementation issues arose at the trial sites, and in particular the site at Macandrew Bay.
In June 2014 the Council instructed staff to complete a consultation process on an alternative or additional trial site to alleviate pressure on the Otago Peninsula. Consultation on a potential site at Bayfield Park commenced on 18 October 2014 and was completed on 16 November 2014.
Two written submissions were received by the end of the submission period. Two additional submissions were received three days after the closing of submissions. All four submissions oppose the proposal.

RECOMMENDATIONS
1. That the Council consider whether it wishes to accept the late submissions from Bayfield High School and Bayfield Park Community Sports Trust.
2. That the Council consider the submissions received on the proposed additional nonself-contained freedom camping trial site at Bayfield Park.
3. That the Council support or decline the proposal to add an additional trial site for nonself-contained freedom camping at Bayfield Park for the remainder of the 2014/2015 camping season.

INTRODUCTION
Three trial sites for campers in non-self-contained vehicles were approved by the Council as part of a package of policy initiatives in September 2013. Over the 2013/2014 summer season a number of implementation issues arose, particularly at the Macandrew Bay trial site. In June 2014 the Council resolved to continue with the second year of the trial, and instructed staff to complete a consultation process to identify an alternative or additional trial site to alleviate pressure on the Otago Peninsula. Cont/

BACKGROUND
The two-year trial sites at Macandrew Bay, Ocean View Reserve and Warrington Reserve were determined on the basis of the package of policy, bylaw and implementation initiatives adopted in 2013. The two year trial period represents two summer camping seasons (2013/2014 and 2014/2015). This time-frame was designed to allow research and monitoring (including but not limited to the trial sites) and reporting back to the Council on all the related matters after April 2015. Another significant part of research to be undertaken during this period is the feasibility report into a remote DoC style camping ground.
A number of implementation issues were encountered during the first trial season. These issues were particularly prevalent at Macandrew Bay where it was not uncommon for the site to attract upwards of 15 vehicles in an evening. In June 2014 the Council instructed staff to complete a consultation process to identify an alternative or additional trial site to alleviate pressure on the Otago Peninsula during year two of the trial.
Staff investigated a number of potential locations and determined that Bayfield Park was the most suitable for an additional trial site. During the assessment process consideration was given to matters such as existing infrastructure, distance to residential properties and likely travel routes for campers.
Any additional trial site would be used for the remainder of the 2014/2015 camping season and would then be subject to review as required by the Responsible Camping Policy.

DCC Webmap – Macandrew Bay

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr