Whangaparaoa residents gather 600 submissions to ban overnight camping in Arkles Bay

Locals at Arkles Bay say they want a complete ban on overnight camping. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey

Locals of the much-loved Arkles Bay in Whangaparaoa have made it clear they want a complete ban on overnight camping after gathering 600 submissions in a week.

But they still have to get council approval to include the site in a proposed freedom camping bylaw before it can be decided if the area will be restricted.

When the community learnt of the up-coming council review of problem freedom camping spots, which Arkles Bay is not included in, they leapt into action gathering submissions.

Auckland Council was due to consider all submissions at two public meetings to be held at the Auckland Town Hall.

Both meetings would be at 9.30am on Thursday April 4 and Friday April 5.

Many locals in their submissions said that space at the bay was already strained because of boat and trailers and argued adding freedom campers would lead to bedlam.

One submission said they had been coming to the bay since 1987 and argued locals should have priority over tourists.

"There are several beaches which are not directly in front of homes and families, such as Army Bay, Hatfields and Orewa. They are more suitable."

Jacqueline Prentice in her submission said she had been a "motorhomer" for more than 25 years but maintained that Ankles Bay "belongs to the locals".

"When travelling long distances, it was lovely to be able to pull into a nice beach or lakeside for lunch or a cuppa then move on to a POP [Park Over Property], of which there are many through New Zealand."

She said she only ever stopped at beaches during the week or in the off season for a "cuppa".

Arkles Bay resident Christopher Brenan said parking was already an issue in the bay.

"Freedom camping would exacerbate this and hugely increase the danger to pedestrians particularly the many children that use the beach."