Thousands sign petition to save holiday spot

David and Colin-Judith Irons have holidayed in the camp for more than 30 years. Picture / Daily Post

Taupo Motor Camp is set to close at the end of next month, and the looming deadline has spurred campers and locals to step up their fight to save the spot they love.

A petition with 4000 names has already been submitted to the Taupo District Council by those opposing the camp's closure to make way for a public domain.

The petition calls on the council, which manages the camp near Lake Taupo and the Waikato River, to hold a referendum on the issue.

Petition organiser Bob Minton said 2000 more names had been added to the petition since it was submitted on February 28.

He hoped the signatures would prompt the council to have a change of heart and support a referendum at a meeting next week, despite earlier voting to end the camp's lease on April 30.

"Six or seven people can close a New Zealand icon, yet 6000 say, 'We want to keep it open'," he said. "That's not democracy."

Mr Minton, a Havelock North businessman who spends three months a year at the camp, said it was not just locals who wanted it to stay open.

"This is a fabulous camp. It's known all over New Zealand. The only people who don't use it are [Taupo district] councillors," he said.

The councillors voted in December to adopt the Tongariro Domain Reserve Management Plan, which would close the camp and see an amphitheatre, promenade walkway and cafe-restaurant built where people now park their caravans and pitch their tents.

The support of five councillors is needed for a motion to revoke the vote and possibly proceed with a referendum, but only one of the district's 12 councillors, Ian Coulter, has voiced support for such a move.

Council management would not be drawn on their opinion on a referendum, but said the $1.5 million domain plan was developed in response to public submissions on the Crown-owned site.

"There was a desire to see more open space," said community and recreation manager Jean-Paul Gaston.

"This is a very central park, the heart of our Taupo township."

He said the town's growing events industry had supported the plan and 70 per cent of the individuals and organisations who made submissions on the camp had wanted it closed.

But for the camp's assistant manager and longest-serving staff member, Vicky Flavell, the prospect fills her with dismay.

"I've got to find another job and another house," she said.

Ms Flavell, who is in her fifties, said it made no sense to close the camp because its 300 sites provided vital accommodation in Taupo.

Two weekends ago, during a drag racing event, visitors unable to find a room in booked-out motel and hotel accommodation had been grateful for a place to sleep.

"If the park had been closed, where would those people have stayed?" Ms Flavell said.