Changes to Whangārei freedom camping sites ahead of summer

Changes have been made to three designated freedom camping spots in Whangārei. Photo/John Stone

Volunteer ambassadors will be rolled out this summer to help make sure freedom campers in Whangārei stick to the rules.

The ambassadors will make sure freedom campers know what they can and can't do and record data on the number of campers, similar to the Summer Safe Carpark programme.

The plan was revealed at yesterday's council meeting, where changes were also made to three of the sites originally designated when the bylaw was created last year.

Councillor Greg Innes described the changes as a "fine tuning exercise".

The camping in public places bylaw, which was an effort to regulate freedom camping in the district, came into effect in October last 2017.

Under the bylaw, all campers are prohibited from 38 locations, while self-contained campers are allowed at four places. Both self-contained and non self-contained are allowed at 12 sites and all types of camping allowed at six.

At the Tarewa i-SITE, the area has been moved from the field side of the carpark to the Tarewa Rd side following requests by the i-SITE staff to reduce congestion and increase parking availability old spot.

At Tamaterau the designated site was being split. The original site would be retained but a small strip of grass would be added for a maximum of two tents on the grass near the entrance.

The original area was not suitable for tents and the community had complained about that.

The change was temporary as funding from the Government for an upgrade of the area in 2019 has been approved and a final location would be found as part of the design process.

At Whananaki North the site is being reduced by about a third in response to community requests and to ensure access to the toilet block for other users.

Government funding will also allow for low fencing and additional picnic tables at Tamaterau and Whananaki North which will help control vehicles accessing grass areas and reduce overcrowding. Revised signs will also be installed.

The driveway access to the toilet block at Whananaki North will be upgraded and a small hardstand will be created to reduce damage to the grass area.

The works will be completed before Christmas this year.

Councillor Anna Murphy was a supporter of the ambassador programme and the additional works.

"Hopefully having the hard stands, better signs, it's going to improve the situation."

Strategic planner Shireen Munday told councillors seven key sites will have daily monitoring between Labour Weekend and Easter, while the remaining sites will be monitored daily between December 20 and February 10.