Draft bylaw and ADVERSE EFFECTS of freedom camping at Dunedin parks and reserves will be Consulted

FREEDOM CAMPING IS YOUR COUNCIL DELIBERATELY SETTING ITSELF UP TO COMPETE WITH COMMERCIAL CAMPSITE PROVIDERS

WHAT BENEFITS – THERE ARE NONE

We take it Mr Mayor does not live next door to a freedom camping site and does not lease out the council owned Santa Fe on his driveway to roofless young strangers with bad toilet and littering habits passing through the peninsula area.

—

Dunedin City Council – Media Release
Community’s views to be sought on freedom camping

This item was published on 09 Jun 2017

The Dunedin City Council will seek the community’s views on issues related to freedom camping, says Mayor of Dunedin Dave Cull. Council discussion on a report to its 30 May 2017 meeting which recommended public consultation to amend the current Camping Control Bylaw, was delayed pending information from a national freedom camping forum and new guidelines on self-contained vehicles. The proposed bylaw amendments were to allow for further sites to be considered for vehicles that are not self-contained. Mr Cull says that given the wide range of views expressed both formally and informally by the community and Community Board members in relation to the report, and on wider issues related to freedom camping over the last season, it was appropriate to revisit the DCC’s approach.

“Freedom camping is an extremely complex issue which draws impassioned comments from both sides of the debate. It is therefore appropriate to take this opportunity to formally engage with the public on the wider issues around freedom camping; looking at all the pros and cons, costs and benefits.”

A staff report would be presented to the 27 June Council meeting recommending a special consultative process on whether the current bylaw should be amended to restrict freedom camping to certified self-contained vehicles only, or whether it should continue to make provisions for vehicles not certified as self-contained and look at adding a range of further sites where these vehicles could be accommodated.

Mr Cull says the DCC’s current Camping Control Bylaw adopted in 2015 is a very good bylaw.

“At a national level it is regarded as a best practice bylaw by the National Responsible Camping Forum. However, overcrowding has been a major issue at the two unrestricted sites at Warrington and Ocean View, resulting in widespread concern in the community. We therefore need to understand from the community whether, firstly, they think the city should continue to make provisions for non self-contained freedom campers at all, and, if so, at what other sites around the city could these types of freedom campers be accommodated to ease the pressure at Warrington and Ocean View.”

Subject to Council approval on 27 June, staff would complete the public consultation, including hearings if required, and then report back to Council prior to the start of the 2017/18 camping season with a recommendation for further consideration. The current Bylaw will remain in force until that process is completed.

Contact DCC on 03 477 4000. DCC Link

****

### ODT Online Sat, 10 Jun 2017
Petition against freedom camping proposal
By David Loughrey
Residents living beside Rotary Park in Dunedin are the latest up in arms over a council proposal to provide three new freedom camping sites. The residents say the park could be “taken away from the locals”, and become the realm of freedom campers instead of local children. They have also raised concerns about noise from campers parking close to their homes, and potential damage to reservoirs, a pumping station, and telecommunications equipment at the park. In response to opposition to proposed camps at Rotary Park, Puddle Alley, near Invermay on the Taieri, and outside the Brighton Surf Life Saving Club, Mayor Dave Cull yesterday promised to consult the public before the council made any decisions. […] Waverley resident Sharon Weir said a meeting was held on Wednesday night with about 15 residents, and a petition to oppose the proposal had been started.
Read more

****

The only reason “Overcrowding had been a major issue at Warrington and Ocean View, resulting in widespread concern.” is because the Dunedin City Council decided to NOT manage the Warrington Domain. This to take away problems from ‘metropolitan’ areas.

DISGUSTING COUNCIL TREATMENT OF RURAL COMMUNITIES AND THEIR PUBLIC GREEN SPACE.

Warrington residents have had to deal with this:

Wrecked, the state of the domain after the camping season closed:

A Warrington resident worked out that, in the season, Dunedin Ratepayers had been subsidising the roughly 85–100+ freedom campers at the Domain each night at $10 per head.

CONSIDER A BAN ON FREEDOM CAMPING AT DUNEDIN

—

Related Post and Comments:
● 9.6.17 Council says “bag it” —we can help with that
● 30.5.17 The Boil Over : DCC and Freedom Camping, Reserves and Beaches bylaws
● 13.5.17 Condition of Warrington Domain screwed by DCC lack of enforcement #CampingControlBylaw23
● 1.2.17 “Fake news” from DCC boffins & Community Board re freedom camping at Warrington Domain #TheBlight

█ For more, enter the terms *warrington* and *freedom camping* in the search box at right.

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

The Boil Over : DCC and Freedom Camping, Reserves and Beaches bylaws

At Facebook:

### ODT Online Tue, 30 May 2017
Freedom camping overflows
By David Loughrey
Three new freedom-camping sites are proposed for Dunedin, as the two already provided by the Dunedin City Council have reached capacity. Sites at Rotary Park in Highcliff, a reserve at Puddle Alley near Invermay on the Taieri, and outside the Brighton Surf Lifesaving Club has been put forward as proposed in a report to a council meeting today. The idea has already run into opposition from the Mosgiel-Taieri Community Board, which says the council should not spend money on non-self-contained freedom camping. The explosion of freedom-camping tourism in New Zealand has caused tension as locals deal with overrun campsites, litter and human waste. Sites at Ocean View, and in particular Warrington, have sparked complaints from some residents, while others have been supportive of the visitors. The report said there was an increase of 37% in vehicles using the Warrington site during February and March this year, compared with the year before. There were 157 vehicles there at Waitangi weekend.
Read more

****

There was a full meeting of the Dunedin City Council held today, preceded by a Public Forum.

[follow business at the DCC video when published at YouTube]

View the Agenda at: https://infocouncil.dunedin.govt.nz/RedirectToDoc.aspx?URL=Open/2017/05/CNL_20170530_AGN_539_AT_WEB.htm

Items to note:

2.3  Public Forum – Freedom Camping
Rhys Owen wishes to address the meeting concerning freedom camping.

2.4  Public Forum – Freedom Camping
Geraldine Tait, Waikouaiti Coast Community Board wishes to address the meeting concerning Freedom Camping.

Reports:

13. Reserves and Beaches Bylaw 2017
Recommendation    Minute   
Bylaw Hearings Recommendations
Implementation Plan
Beach Access Points for Horses and Boats
Ecologically Sensitve Beach and Reserve Areas
Reserves and Beaches Bylaw 2017

14. Review of Camping Control Bylaw 2015
Recommendation    Minute   
Survey Results
Warrington Map
Sites Identified by Community Board and Staff
Potential New Sites
Draft Camping Control Bylaw amendments
Statement of Proposal

—

At 14. above, I have linked to the freedom camping survey results requested MONTHS AGO via LGOIMA, from the scrubbers who guarded them from our ‘prying eyes’ – the results are pretty much illegible to the naked eye (nearly the smallest font size possible) but use your onscreen magnifier. Good grief pull your socks up, people: “Communicate clearly!”

At Channel 39 tonight, news presenter Craig Storey said issues with the DCC’s proposed three new freedom-camping sites reached boiling point at the Council meeting.

See tomorrow’s Otago Daily Times for more.

—

ODTtv June 7 2016
Someone in the video isn’t coping with the notion of freedom camping, and this was before things got really out of control at Warrington Domain over summer 2016/17 when the irresponsible DCC decided it would not enforce its camping control bylaw 23.

—

[btw….how delightful that the Green Party’s list has FEW Southern candidates – think on that DCC followers lol]

—

Related Posts and Comments:
● 13.5.17 Condition of Warrington Domain screwed by DCC lack of enforcement #CampingControlBylaw23
● 9.4.17 DCC obfuscates : Open slather for freedom campers at Warrington
● 16.3.17 WE have the information, unreasonable delay providing it #LGOIMA
● 15.2.17 Warrington : DCC dictates loss of community’s grassed recreation reserve to freeloaders
8.2.17 Hands Off Enjoyment of OUR Beaches #DCC
● 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
10.2.16 Dunedin freedom camping #DCC #enforcement
16.12.14 DCC: Freedom Camping issues
7.12.09 Coastal protection zones

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

Condition of Warrington Domain screwed by DCC lack of enforcement #CampingControlBylaw23

Freedom campers are ignoring closed signs at Warrington Domain.

Photographs and accompanying letter received from a Warrington resident (name withheld) on Monday, 8 May 2017 at 10:52 a.m.

● All comments to the photographs are by whatifdunedin.

APPALLING
Dunedin City Council trashes Warrington ratepayers’ and residents’ recreational amenity asset:

Warrington Domain 2 May 2017, ground condition before the domain closed.

Damage to the village green is all down to the deliberate decision by Dunedin City Council to allow uncontrolled freedom camping at the Domain over the 2016/17 summer period (read no enforcement of Camping Control Bylaw 23); this for reduction and avoidance of freedom camping happening in metropolitan Dunedin. Out of sight, out of mind. The Warrington community receives no proper help from the scrubbers on the politicised local community board, to protect the asset.

It’s a bloody scandal – someone (plural) should lose their job.

In these photos freedom campers continue to park outside the closed domain totally ignoring the DCC signage but with apparently no repercussions:

Due to email file size limits a video recording was not forwarded to What if? Dunedin. Hopefully this will come available shortly via YouTube.

—

Warrington resident receives no reply to their polite yet pointed email sent to Waikouaiti Coast Community Board (WCCB) and DCC. How surprising!

From: [Warrington resident]
Sent: Saturday, 6 May 2017 8:50 p.m.
To: Waikouaiti Coast Community Board; Dunedin City Council Customer Services; Ashley Reid [DCC]; Jendi Paterson [DCC]
Subject: Freedom campers ignore closed signs

Hi DCC and WCCB,

I became aware there are freedom camper vehicles outside the domain this evening from their music and the noise of car doors.

FYI 13 non-self-contained freedom camper vehicles are parked outside the Warrington domain tonight and a 14th is parked in the surf club carpark.

When asked they denied seeing the signs that clearly state the domain is closed to camping.

Our points are:
– the freedom campers are clearly ignoring your signs
– there doesn’t seem to be anyone controlling the area at night
– it is unreasonable for local residents that the freedom campers choose to park wherever they like

Regards
[Warrington resident]

****

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

Related Posts and Comments:
● 9.4.17 DCC obfuscates : Open slather for freedom campers at Warrington
● 16.3.17 WE have the information, unreasonable delay providing it #LGOIMA
● 15.2.17 Warrington : DCC dictates loss of community’s grassed recreation reserve to freeloaders
8.2.17 Hands Off Enjoyment of OUR Beaches #DCC
● 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
10.2.16 Dunedin freedom camping #DCC #enforcement
16.12.14 DCC: Freedom Camping issues
7.12.09 Coastal protection zones

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

DCC obfuscates : Open slather for freedom campers at Warrington

According to the DCC (via LGOIMA) – [but make that the personnel manning desks at the department concerned; not the LGOIMA officials] – the survey results for freedom camping at Warrington Domain WILL NOT be available until a council or community board meeting this month.

The DCC response to my LGOIMA request (13 March) was:

[16 March] Official information request for 577864, KERR, FREEDOM CAMPING SURVEY
I refer to your official information request dated 13-March-2017 for a full copy of the survey results of the Warrington freedom camping survey. We have decided to refuse your request under section 17(d) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act, as the information requested will soon be publically (sic) available. Staff are planning to present this as a report to either the Infrastructure Services and Networks committee on April 10, or the next meeting of the Waikouaiti Coast Community Board on April 19….

The agenda for April 10 does not contain the item.
An agenda is not yet available for April 19.

****

NO SURVEY FIGURES
because DCC’s busy with Other things like keeping Lids On, like managing COMPLETE RUBBISH such as the slant grab of public land for corporations that might build cheap leaky Chase-style apartment buildings (that look like hotels)(tall penile ones no longer allowed at CHC) or site the ‘Govt gold mine of revenue’, ACC (that can easily afford any Other property in town), on the best ancillary site to assist the Hospital rebuild; and for the developers of Mosgiel who Must Have an over-specified over-priced pool funded by ratepayers using the successful CST model that sent us all to Penury.

NO SURVEY FIGURES
because the pool site, road names (diversity!?!) and road stopping will be discussed at the meeting on 10 April (Infrastructure Services and Networks Committee); greenhouse gas emissions (Planning and Regulatory Committee meeting, 11 April); and ‘updates’ (glory be, more pressure to Spend rates) for the boondoggles Ara Toi, City of Literature and the Public Art Framework (Community and Culture Committee meeting, 11 April). In amongst this menu of outstanding nothingness, is the item South Dunedin Hub, surely another chance to Delay and Defund that.

Inestimable Joy. And no survey figures.

WHAT HAS HAPPENED to the city council under the present red-green fawning leadership with Corporation Christmas dangling on its mind.

Well, local body politics has ESCALATED on what it does best – supervising with maximum inefficiency, the major time-wasting DCC slushfund (The Bank Of Other People’s Money) using impractical, morally-superior soft-handed ‘councillors’ to push council staff agendas into play.
Piglets are expected to Roast the LTP.

Oui, monsieur. The free lunches, coffees outside The Fix, and council stipends are at an all-time A+ for deficiency and delinquency.

****

Then came a missive from The Star, via ODT this weekend. When all council bad timing and obfuscation had looked to succeed. There it was: NUMBERS.

At Facebook:

Deeply interested, I read further……

TRUCKLOADS…. HUNDREDS….
All down to DCC staff deciding before Christmas NOT TO ENFORCE the current Camping Control Bylaw 23. So to Keep Trouble out of Metropolitan Dunedin.
—Leaving Warrington residents and ratepayers to absorb the antisocial hours, the noise, the indiscriminate toileting and rubbish, the shell fishing defying bag limits, all the unlawful long-stayers, and the Total loss of proper access to their own village green, now rutted by tyre tracks.

Despicable.

DCC should be formally challenged on the lack of enforcement and lack of Health & Safety.

Dear god, don’t let the present threat of disease at Warrington Domain, poorly managed by DCC in the current conditions, involve Typhoid. The deskhuggers won’t cope.

—

Related Posts and Comments:
● 16.3.17 WE have the information, unreasonable delay providing it #LGOIMA
● 15.2.17 Warrington : DCC dictates loss of community’s grassed recreation reserve to freeloaders
8.2.17 Hands Off Enjoyment of OUR Beaches #DCC
● 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
10.2.16 Dunedin freedom camping #DCC #enforcement
16.12.14 DCC: Freedom Camping issues
7.12.09 Coastal protection zones

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

WE have the information, unreasonable delay providing it #LGOIMA

Contrary to DCC Bylaw 23 no camping restriction applied over summer

DCC’s delay in providing official information on freedom camping numbers (Which Is Available) appears to equate with what happened over LGOIMA requests lodged after the South Dunedin Flood of June 2015. Delay, derferment, and obfuscation occurred then as now. There is no reason to believe anything has changed internally, magnified by today’s ‘official response’.

[redacted screenshot – click to enlarge]

****

DCC now has a laborious text response as first acknowledgement of the LGOIMA requests it receives. An associate has been working on improvements to the below on suggestion back to the system. The short information request is highlighted by whatifdunedin:

From: officialinformation @dcc.govt.nz
Sent: Monday, 13 March 2017 7:55 a.m.
To: Elizabeth Kerr
Subject: Confirmation of receipt of LGOIMA request – 577864

Dear Elizabeth

I am writing to acknowledge receipt of your official information request dated 13 Mar 2017 7:55am

We support public access to official information. Our obligation under the Local Government Official Information Act 1987 (the Act) is to provide you the information requested as soon as reasonably practicable unless there is a good reason for withholding it.

We will process information requests as below:

1. We will let you know as soon as we can (and in any case within 20 working days) whether your request will be granted or declined, and if the request is declined why we have declined it.

1. In some cases it may be necessary for our decision to be made after 20 working days. When this occurs we will advise you the anticipated delivery date together with the reason why it is necessary to extend that time within the 20 working days.

1. If your request is complex or requires a large amount of collation and research, we may contact you with a view to either refining your request or discussing the possibility of charging for aspects of your request in line with the DCC charging policy.

1. If we decide to release the information, we aim to provide it at the same time as we give our decision. If this is not possible we will provide the information as soon as reasonably practicable.

If you need to contact us about your request, please email officialinformation@dcc.govt.nz or call 03 477 4000. Please quote reference number: 577864

The timeliness of our decisions and the reasons for them are reviewable by the Office of the Ombudsman. You can view the Ombudsman’s guidelines for the processing of information requests at http://www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or by calling freephone: 0800 802 602.

Yours sincerely,

Official Information Request Service

Below are the details of the request

Your request:

New information request – Warrington Domain

I have been informed that DCC recently ran a survey of the freedom campers at Warrington Domain, asking (in no particular order here):

1. where they were from
2. their age
3. how much they were spending
4. what activities they were doing in Dunedin, and
5. what type of vehicle they were in.

I’m told the survey ran for two weeks; and that it was conducted by Ashley Reid.

I request a full copy of the survey results (with names of campers redacted for privacy), to be received by email at earliest convenience.

I note hearings for the Proposed Reserves and Beaches Bylaw will be held this week. Prompt receipt of the survey information would be enabling. Thanks.

File attachment
No file uploaded

[ends]

*****

Points:

1. The Reserves and Beaches Bylaw review that had hearings this week did not include a review of freedom camping; freedom camping is specifically excluded from this bylaw review. The freedom camping bylaw review is heralded to take place in about a month’s time.

2. The point numbering error in the response of 13 March above is the DCC’s.

3. The running foot, or footer, italicised in red (“Dance like no one is watching; Email like it may one day be read aloud in a deposition.”) in the redacted screenshot above, has been raised with senior staff this afternoon and has since been sorted.

4. The LGOIMA response received today must be seen in light of a response to another request I made for information about Warrington Domain lodged on 22.1.17 [ref no. 570874]:

[excerpt; my underlining]

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?

DCC response (28.2.17):

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.

****

whatifdunedin’s ‘amateur’ response and translation:

WE have the information —WE are going to control it. Let’s play cat and mouse, if it turns out the information is ‘maybe’ awkward or not in OUR political favour [before a Bylaw review]. Besides, WE need processing time to [‘line up ducks’] before the information, analysed…… hits the iPads of elected representatives. Micromanaging is GOOD. Vive la DCC Operatives !!

—

Related Posts and Comments:
● 15.2.17 Warrington : DCC dictates loss of community’s grassed recreation reserve to freeloaders
8.2.17 Hands Off Enjoyment of OUR Beaches #DCC
● 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
10.2.16 Dunedin freedom camping #DCC #enforcement
16.12.14 DCC: Freedom Camping issues
7.12.09 Coastal protection zones

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

*Image: warrington domain, cropped detail of supplied colour photograph taken 14.2.17

Warrington : DCC dictates loss of community’s grassed recreation reserve to freeloaders

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

****

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

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

Uncontrolled freedom camping at Warrington Domain this weekend —DCC ‘hell model’ [no enforcement]

Fair-minded councils ban freedom campers from parks and reserves.

DCC is not a fair-minded council.

Last year DCC staff told local residents that this summer (2016/17) the council intends to allow freedom camper vehicles to take up the whole domain at Warrington….

DCC 23. Camping Control Bylaw 2015

[click to enlarge]
Warrington Recreation Reserve, February 2016. Annotated overlay shows designated areas for freedom camper vehicles according to Bylaw 23 (see above Map, or go to page 20).

****

Note: Maps installed by DCC at the Domain aren’t consistent with the Bylaw Map above (page 20), and don’t represent the Bylaw conditions (page 7):

****

T H E ● L O N G ● ‘W A I T A N G I’ ● W E E K E N D

*Remember, no DCC enforcement applies.

Last night (Sun, 5 Feb) 110 vehicles were counted in Warrington Domain — plus tents. It’s estimated that 30% were New Zealanders getting a free camp ground.

In terms of costs…. if DCC is spending $80,000 per year on freedom camping and if 8,000 people per year are staying at Warrington Domain, then Ratepayers are paying $10/night on their accommodation. As opposed to the campers paying.

There was also a party there last night with loud music until after midnight.

Images supplied.

● Sunday evening, 5 Feb 2017 [click to enlarge]

● Monday morning, 6 Feb 2017 [click to enlarge]

The council contractors said they emptied the bins yesterday (Sunday), so this is just one night’s worth of rubbish:

****

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

** Review date: [No date given. However, DCC is currently consulting on the Proposed Reserves and Beaches Bylaw 2017 and seeks public submissions by February 10, 2017. As part of the bylaw review DCC is considering restricting numbers of vehicles at Warrington to 50 vehicles per night. This is still too many as it equates to over 100 people living in the domain every night. Warrington has a resident population of around 400 people so an additional 100+ is a big increase.]

Within Section 3. [Interpretation] of the bylaw, it says:
Freedom camp means to camp (other than at a camping ground) within 200m of a motor vehicle accessible area or the mean low-water springs line of any sea or harbour, or on or within 200m of a formed road or a Great Walks Track, using one or more of the following:
(a) A tent or other temporary structure;
(b) A caravan;
(c) A car, campervan, housetruck, or other motor vehicle.

In this bylaw freedom camping does not include the following activities:
(a) Temporary or short term parking of a motor vehicle;
(b) Recreational activities commonly known as day-trip excursions;
(c) Resting or sleeping at the roadside in a caravan or motor vehicle to avoid driver fatigue.

Freedom Camping has the same meaning as freedom camp

Self-contained vehicle means a car, campervan, housetruck, or other motor vehicle designed and built for the purpose of camping which has the capability of meeting the ablutionary and sanitary needs of occupants of that vehicle for a minimum of three days without requiring any external services or discharging any waste and is certified that it complies with New Zealand Standard 5465:2001 Self Containment of Motor Caravans and Caravans.

The bylaw includes the following sections:

Section 4. Purpose
The purpose of this bylaw is to:
Define the local authority areas in Dunedin where freedom camping is restricted, and the restrictions that apply to freedom camping in those areas, and to define the local authority areas in the City where freedom camping is prohibited, to achieve one or more of the following purposes:
(a) The areas are protected
(b) The health and safety of the people who may visit the areas is protected
(c) Access to the areas is protected

Section 5. Restrictions on Freedom Camping
(a) A person must not freedom camp in any local authority areas within a prohibited zone, as identified in Schedule A of this bylaw.
(b) A person may only freedom camp in any restricted area, as identified in Schedule B, if they are using a self-contained vehicle where they comply with specified conditions in this schedule or displayed on the site.
(c) A person may freedom camp in any area where freedom camping is unrestricted, as identified in Schedule C where they comply with specified conditions in this schedule or displayed on the site.
(d) A person freedom camping in accordance with 5 (b) or (c) must not stay at any one local authority area for more than two consecutive nights.

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.

****

There has been no response from DCC to my LGOIMA request dated 22 January 2017. See previous post:

█ 1.2.17 “Fake news” from DCC boffins & Community Board re freedom camping at Warrington Domain #TheBlight

—

Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.

“Fake news” from DCC boffins & Community Board re freedom camping at Warrington Domain #TheBlight

Warrington Domain with 50 vehicles [image supplied – click to enlarge]

FIFTY vehicles add over 100 people a night to the small Warrington township of roughly 400 permanent residents – with no local shops or retail facilities that benefit. The cost to Dunedin Ratepayers in servicing the Domain for freedom campers is the subject of a recent LGOIMA request, included below. Some nights there are 75 vehicles parked in the community owned recreational reserve…..

12 Dec 2016 | Freedom camping is prohibited in 79 named reserves across the Waitaki district. Camper vans used for freedom camping must meet national standards for self-containment and can camp in the same spot for a maximum of three days over a four-week period. ODT

2 Nov 2016 | The Christchurch City Council has voted to completely ban freedom camping. The council today amended a by-law to stop visitors from camping without a toilet on board their vehicle in areas where it had been possible to do so until now. The change will take effect from next month, in five city areas and Banks Peninsula, in time for the peak of the tourist season. RNZ News

Warrington Domain is the first and only freedom camping stop on the East Coast after travellers arrive at Christchurch Airport and buy a cheap car.

Dunedin City Council conveniently pushes freedom campers out of the city to the ‘rural climes’. Poor Warrington residents and their families.

Lately, DCC and the troughers on the Waikouaiti Coast Community Board have been shouting success with ‘improvements’ to Warrington Domain for freedom campers. This is DISGUSTING SPIN. The situation IS NOT under control.

A Warrington resident continues to voluntarily pooper-scoop human excrement from the surrounds of Warrington Domain, thanks to bloody ‘freeloader’ freedom campers NOT using self-contained vehicles.

The do-gooders at DCC are throwing YOUR Good Ratepayer Money after BAD.

Another case of OPM at DCC.

The “complaints” (!!) continue to circulate in the community —against DCC.

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DCC had “already responded to earlier concerns by introducing upgraded toilet facilities and high-tech rubbish bins, which seemed to have put an end to complaints from residents”.

### ODT Online Wed, 1 Feb 2017
Freedom camping expansion being studied
By Chris Morris
More areas of Dunedin could be opened up to freedom camping, while new restrictions are considered for Warrington Domain, as the Dunedin City Council mulls further changes to its approach. Council parks and recreation acting group manager Jendi Paterson said yesterday the council was seeking input from community boards on possible changes to the freedom camping bylaw for next season. That could eventually result in new locations being added to the list of permitted freedom camping spots in Dunedin, at present limited to Warrington Domain and Ocean View Recreation Reserve for non-self-contained vehicles.
Read more

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### ODT Online Tue, 31 Jan 2017
New rules proposed for drones near wildlife, vehicles on beaches
By Chris Morris
Drones could be grounded, and vehicles ordered off the sand, if new rules for some Dunedin beaches are approved. The Dunedin City Council has proposed a ban on flying drones around some sensitive wildlife locations at city beaches and reserves. Drones would still be permitted at other beaches and reserves, but only if the operators first sought permission from the council. New rules would also be introduced for vehicles, which would be banned from some beaches and reserves and face new access restrictions – as well as a 20kmh speed limit – at others. The new approach is outlined in the council’s proposed reserves and beaches bylaw 2017, on which the public has until February 10 to have their say.
Read more

P U B L I C ● C O N S U L T A T I O N
Proposed Reserves and Beaches Bylaw 2017
Closes 10/02/2017
█ http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/council-online/currently-consulting-on/current-consultations/proposed-reserves-and-beaches-bylaw-2017

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To be pedantic:

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]

Related Posts and Comments:
10.2.16 Dunedin freedom camping #DCC #enforcement
16.12.14 DCC: Freedom Camping issues

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Posted by Elizabeth Kerr

This post is offered in the public interest.