1 Jun 2018

The Christchurch City Council will investigate making changes to its Freedom Camping Bylaw to address community concerns about the impact freedom campers are having in Akaroa.

The bylaw, which has been in place since 2015, allows freedom campers to stay for up to two nights in some parts of Akaroa as long as they are in self-contained vehicles.

However, the sheer number of freedom campers visiting Akaroa has caused issues and led to calls for the bylaw to be changed.

Freedom camping concerns continue for Akaroa residents.

Freedom camping concerns continue for Akaroa residents.

Over the summer months, residents have expressed concerns to the Banks Peninsula Community Board about freedom campers toileting in public, dumping rubbish, and monopolising parking spaces.

Recently, the Council conducted a community survey to find out more about the residents’ concerns.

Three-quarters of the 280 people who completed the online survey indicated there was a problem with freedom camping in Akaroa.

Eighty-three per cent of respondents thought freedom camping came with some negative impacts, while 67 per cent thought it caused significant problems.

More than 80 per cent thought the current ban on non-self-contained freedom camping was not working.

Some 63 per cent thought there should be more restrictions on overnight freedom camping in Akaroa than currently provided for in the bylaw.

“The survey has provided us with some useful insights into the community impact of freedom camping in Akaroa,’’ says Councillor Andrew Turner.

“Based on the information gathered, staff will prepare a report for the Council to consider that will look at what changes need to be made to the bylaw. The report will also look at non-regulatory steps that could be taken to address the Akaroa community’s concerns about freedom camping.

“There may be some practical things we could do, like providing more toilets, more rubbish bins, and better signage that may help address some of the issues raised by the community,’’ Cr Turner says.

“Any bylaw changes would be publicly consulted on later this year so the changes can be in place for the upcoming summer season.’’