Received.
Tue, 14 Feb 2017 at 9:57 p.m.
Due to recent heavy rain part of the domain at Warrington has been fenced off by DCC. This hasn’t stopped 90 freedom camping vehicles from jamming into the remaining part of the domain ….think of the camp fees greater Dunedin’s commercial campgrounds are missing out on —this is a normal Tuesday night, middle of the week, and 90 vehicles are parking for free in the domain.
Thanks to Dunedin City councillors and council staff Warrington’s domain has been allowed to turn into an unregulated free-for-all camping site – contrary to the council’s own Camping Control Bylaw 2015.
And with so many vehicles continuing to drive on the domain there is less and less grass, and more mud and dirt, and more gravel going to be placed to cover what used to be the local community’s grassed recreational reserve.
[images supplied]
Quick video scan of site:
iDunedin Published on Feb 14, 2017
Warrington Domain February 14 2017
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To reiterate:
Dunedin City Council
█ 23. Camping Control Bylaw 2015 (PDF, 2.5 MB)
The purpose of this bylaw is to protect, promote, and maintain public health and safety by regulating freedom camping within the district; and restrict freedom camping in public places within the district. Link
Date approved: 01 November 2015
DCC 23. Camping Control Bylaw 2015
Section 9. Offences and penalties
1. In accordance with section 20(1) of the Act, every person who breaches this bylaw commits an infringement offence.
2. In accordance with section 27 of the Act, an enforcement officer may issue an infringement notice to anyone who the enforcement officer believes on reasonable grounds has committed or is committing an infringement offence as set out in section 20(1) of the Act (a copy of which is included as Schedule D of this Bylaw for information only).
3. A person who commits an infringement offence is liable to a $200 infringement fee for each offence.
****
Related Posts and Comments:
6.2.17 Uncontrolled freedom camping at Warrington Domain this weekend —DCC ‘hell model’ [no enforcement]
1.2.17 “Fake news” from DCC boffins & Community Board re freedom camping at Warrington Domain #TheBlight
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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr
This post is offered in the public interest.
What if? Dunedin... 
Received.
idunedin Published on Mar 2, 2017
Can’t camp for free in Czech Republic
idunedin Published on Mar 2, 2017
Living in domain 4 months
Freedom campers interviewed at Warrington Domain near Dunedin NZ on Thursday, 2 Mar 2017. Verbal consent was obtained before filming took place.
The Dunedin City Council’s Camping Control Bylaw 23. is not being enforced for the domain.
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Similar problems further south at Clutha district.
At Facebook:
(via ODT Online) At present, freedom camping was not allowed in any urban area of the Clutha district or in areas where it was signposted as restricted.
Cr [Hilary] McNab told the Otago Daily Times there was real concern about the mess left behind by campers staying in non-self contained units near the Catlins Lake in Hinahina Rd and at the Owaka Heads. Some of the mess included litter and evidence of human waste or excrement. “There is rubbish, loo paper and heaven knows what else.” […] The [Clutha District Council] was also aware of two phone apps which directed tourists to camp in areas of the Catlins where it was not approved or allowed by the council. These apps were CamperMate and Rankers. […] Council regulatory services group manager David Campbell said the council was working to have those areas removed from the apps. […] Other areas Mr Campbell was aware of where campers had caused problems included Department of Conservation car parks or tourist areas. The council was also having surveys completed in relation to freedom camping before a bylaw review later this year. Cont/
█ CORRESPONDENCE FOR LGOIMA REQUEST 22 JAN 2017
From: Elizabeth Kerr
Sent: Wednesday, 1 March 2017 6:40 p.m.
To: [DCC Manager Civil and Legal]
Cc: [DCC Governance Support]; Sandy Graham [DCC General Manager Strategy and Governance]; Elizabeth Kerr
Subject: RE: Request for Information Concerning Warrington Domain
Dear [DCC Manager Civil and Legal]
Thanks for your email – here is my initial response as guidance. I trust the below assists.
Perhaps issues for search could have been discussed with me closer to the time the request was lodged (Sun, 22 Jan 2017).
In reply, I consider the ‘history and purpose of Warrington Domain, including its use, governance and management’ should perhaps be celebrated – ie documented and freely available on the DCC website as a public good since they pertain to (following on from local body amalgamation) Dunedin community owned assets inviting visitation and for which DCC Bylaws apply, and ditto for other of our public parks and reserves, but particularly those mentioned in:
● 23. Camping Control Bylaw 2015 ; and
● ‘Proposed Reserves and Beaches Bylaw 2017’ [draft document now offline]
Therefore, to make my original information request less onerous:
Please do not provide official information for my questions 1., 2., 3., 4., and 5.
It appears from your email that DCC doesn’t have the basic information ready to hand. I will endeavour to source this information elsewhere.
Please ignore my questions 6., 7., 8., 9., and 10.
These have been answered by Warrington ratepayers in the time since my information request was lodged.
This leaves three hours of free search available in response to other part(s) of my original request.
It seems to me, the costs DCC incurs to operate Warrington Domain for camping and other recreational use might be the crux of the matter in considering any change to council’s camping bylaws currently in process.
It is my preference that the three hours free search is given to answering question 11. only, and for the period now stated here:
The question now reads:
11. What has it cost DCC to maintain Warrington Domain in the period from 1 Dec 2015 to 1 Mar 2017 only.
Please provide itemised figures where known for this 15 month period.
Estimates of the most recent costs in 2017 will be acceptable.
The figures may include:
– the daily/weekly/monthly (whichever applies) hire cost of port-a-loos and how many are on hire;
– weekly/monthly (which ever applies) cost of rubbish collection and removal from the site;
– the purchase and installation costs for solar powered compacting rubbish receptacles, and the number of these units installed;
– the purchase and installation costs of any other fixtures or facilities at the Domain;
– the annual costs associated with vandalisation of any fixtures and facilities provided at the Domain;
– the annual cost for maintenance and upgrade of any fixtures and facilities provided at the Domain;
– the annual cost for grounds maintenance (including turf work, playing fields, grass mowing and weed control, roads and pathways and fencing/barriers; power, sewerage, water connections, materials brought to site such as soil, gravel and sand);
– the annual cost of any contracting or subcontracting services to maintain the Domain for public use;
– the annual cost of DCC staff time to oversee the Domain on the public’s behalf (including site visits, grounds management, planning and policy development, governance and admin, community engagement, processing complaints, enforcement, reporting to Council, other);
– the cost of any surveys being conducted by DCC or service contractors to assess freedom camping numbers and impacts on the Domain; and
– other costs not outlined here, which might include professional, legal and resource management fees.
For now, please ignore questions 12., 13., 14., and 15.
Question 16. you have answered, thanks.
If you have any further queries, please be in touch at earliest convenience.
Kind regards, Elizabeth
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█ PART-RESPONSE FROM DUNEDIN CITY COUNCIL
From: [DCC Manager Civil and Legal]
Sent: Tuesday, 28 February 2017 7:42 p.m.
To: Elizabeth Kerr
Cc: [DCC Governance Support]
Subject: Request for Information Concerning Warrington Domain
Hi Elizabeth,
[….two paragraphs redacted by Elizabeth Kerr….]
With respect to the information headed “OTHER MATTERS” we comment on these aspects of your request as follows:
12) This question is too broad and requires the Council to consider the status of the reserve since it was first created. We suggest you refine your request by providing a date range. Please advise if you wish to refine your request. [….one sentence redacted….] Alternatively, please advise if you do not wish to proceed with this aspect of your request.
13) This is requesting that the Council provide an opinion on the impact of freedom camping on a community. This is not a request for official information. However, the Council is aware that some members of this community do hold the view that freedom camping has impacted adversely on their use of the Domain.
14) We do not perform a count of freedom campers at each site daily. An estimate may be available as a result of a recent survey that was conducted across camping sites within the city. Please advise if you wish to refine your request to include an estimate of numbers.
15) See the answer to question (14) above.
16) Yes – freedom camping sites are monitored by a security firm. Where freedom camping is occurring in accordance with the Freedom Camping Act 2011 and the Council’s relevant bylaws there is no power to require that person to leave the freedom camping area.
We acknowledge there has been a short delay in the processing of your request. We apologise for not providing our decision within 20 working days.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman about the delay in responding to your request. Information about how to make a complaint is available at http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
Regards,
Manager Civic and Legal, Corporate Services
Dunedin City Council
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█ ORIGINAL LGOIMA REQUEST TO DUNEDIN CITY COUNCIL
Subject: RE: Local Government Official Information request – 570874
Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2017 15:02:19 +1300
From: officialinformation @dcc.govt.nz
To: Elizabeth Kerr
Thank you for your request for information. A response will be provided as soon as reasonably practicable but in any event within 20 working days.
If you have any questions about your request, please email officialinformation @dcc.govt.nz
Thank you.
*******************************************************
As sent using the Online Form at DCC website:
Re Warrington Domain
I request the following information in regards to the use and maintenance of Warrington Domain as a public reserve and community asset:
HISTORY
1. Does the DCC have a short itemised history for Warrington Domain, regarding its formation (when and by whom), its use and functions, and council stewardship (including before local body amalgamation via Waikouaiti and Silver Peaks county councils)?
2. Was the Domain originally formed by the local Warrington community, with a Domain Board to oversee care and maintenance?
3. Following amalgamation, what has been the history of the Domain’s use?
4. Does the Waikouaiti Coast Community Board have jurisdiction over the way the Domain is used by the community and visitors?
[A brief dateline history with accompanying facts will suffice as overview.]
IMPROVEMENTS
5. Currently, what are the fixed/permanent facilities at Warrington Domain provided by DCC?
(For example, water connection, built toilet and wash facilities (hand basins and or showers, cubicled or not), rubbish receptacles, picnic tables and seating, onsite power connection, children’s play equipment, barbeque facilities, marked out sports fields or grass areas, amenity trees and plantings, fencing, protective barriers (of any kind), formed pathways and roads; other)
CAMPING
6. Currently, are camping sites limited to any particular area of Warrington Domain?
7. Altogether, how many camp sites are allowed at Warrington Domain?
8. How many self-contained (camper van) parking sites are allowed at the Domain?
9. Are there any delineated areas (not included above) reserved for community/public use at the Domain? (please state any formally prescribed uses associated with these areas)
BYLAWS
10. Is there a specific Council Bylaw(s) which applies to Warrington Domain?
DOMAIN COSTS
11. How much does it cost DCC to maintain Warrington Domain annually?
Please provide full itemised figures for each of the last five years (including for 2017, from 1 Jan – 31 Jan if by estimate).
The figures to include:
– the daily/weekly/monthly (whichever applies) hire cost of port-a-loos and how many are on hire;
– weekly/monthly (which ever applies) cost of rubbish collection and removal from the site;
– the purchase and installation costs for solar powered compacting rubbish receptacles, and the number of these units installed;
– the purchase and installation costs of any other fixtures or facilities at the Domain;
– the annual costs associated with vandalisation of any fixtures and facilities provided at the Domain;
– the annual cost for maintenance and upgrade of any fixtures and facilities provided at the Domain;
– the annual cost for grounds maintenance (including turf work, playing fields, grass mowing and weed control, roads and pathways and fencing/barriers; power, sewerage, water connections, materials brought to site such as soil, gravel and sand);
– the annual cost of any contracting or subcontracting services to maintain the Domain for public use;
– the annual cost of DCC staff time to oversee the Domain on the public’s behalf (including site visits, grounds management, planning and policy development, governance and admin, community engagement, processing complaints, enforcement, reporting to Council, other);
– the cost of any surveys being conducted by DCC or service contractors to assess freedom camping numbers and impacts on the Domain; and
– other costs not outlined here, which might include professional, legal and resource management fees.
OTHER MATTERS
12. Have any roads or tracks for vehicles been formed through the Domain by DCC preventing use of grassed areas/playing surfaces/sports fields by the local community? Why?
13. Is freedom camping physically infringing on or curtailing the local community’s use and enjoyment of Warrington Domain? How is this being measured and managed by DCC?
14. How many freedom campers have been staying at Warrington Domain nightly from 1 July 2016 to 15 January 2017? (please state number of vehicles; and number of individuals if known)
15. What is the average length of stay per vehicle at the Domain?
16. Is anyone employed by DCC to move people on if vehicle numbers become excessive or are damaging the Domain as a public reserve?
(see seasonal overuse, vandalism, indiscriminate toileting and littering (environmental health), etc)
Please supply available information in electronic format. Thanks.
[ends]
At Facebook:
—Dublin Bay Residents’ Group spokeswoman Joy Paterson said the sign showed the anger residents felt about the inability of the Queenstown Lakes District Council to enforce the freedom camping bylaw in the area.” Just this morning I saw two freedom camping vans drive out of the reserve and it was pretty clear they had been there overnight.” Mrs Paterson said some residents had taken to walking around the reserve at night to move on anyone they suspected of illegally camping overnight. (ODT)