The staff recommendation and policy paper says the move is needed because of the Self-contained Motor Vehicles (camping) Legislation Act 2023 passed in June, and the lack of time needed to react to the Act to retain the areas as campsites this summer.
Under the 2023 Act the council would need written permission from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency to have the camping sites declared to be “local authority areas” and subsequently be able to include those sites within a Freedom Camping Bylaw.
The council would also have to engage with mana whenua and the wider community.
It is considered “straightforward” for the council to amend the Freedom Camping Bylaw to remove the Waka Kotahi sites and such a resolution would be publicly notified.
The staff paper says it is not possible to amend the Freedom Camping Bylaw so that it validly applies to Waka Kotahi land.
A review of the Freedom Camping Bylaw is currently scheduled for early 2025, but that could be brought forward.
The staff paper says Turihaua and Pouawa are popular camping areas
“Dependent on how Waka Kotahi wishes for this area to be administered/regulated, there could be considerable implications for the section of the community who had historical connections to these areas and this activity.
“It is not clear what the outcome of a community engagement process will be, but there is evidence that camping may no longer be appropriate along these sections of the coastline due to the impact of climate change, as well as potential health and safety risks of camping alongside a state highway.”
One camper, a 40-year veteran of camping at Pouawa each Christmas, told the Herald she was not surprised.
“It’s probably expected.”
She and other regular campers had previously discussed “that it might all come to an end”.
The changes caused by erosion were obvious and there were similar issues at Turihaua.
She remembered the powerful waves which struck Pouawa last December before her family went home early.
But she believed there were parts of Pouawa which could be retained for camping.
The camper said she had never held concerns about traffic speeding by on nearby State Highway 35.
“There’s never been an accident involving campers.”
Campers were more concerned with increasing thefts, of items such as barbecues, chilly bins and gas bottles.
She was not too concerned about not being able to camp at Pouawa.
“You can always pack up and go somewhere else.”
The staff paper at tomorrow’s Sustainable Tairawhiti meeting says Waka Kotahi would be able to exercise a landowner’s normal control over activities on their sites, including by restricting access and issuing trespass notices.
“The public are likely to continue to expect that the council will manage issues at the sites, using council’s other regulatory tools (such as the Public Places Bylaw 2015, the Traffic and Parking Bylaw 2021, and the Litter Act 1979).” .
The council have held informal discussions with Ngati Oneone.
Councillors will also consider recommendations relating to legislative changes to the definition of “self-contained” vehicle, and some minor name changes.
