Ahuriri River Bridge campsite (at right). Photo: Hamish MacLean
The Department of Conservation will not close its 30-site Ahuriri River Bridge Campsite while it waits for a fit-out to relieve the pressure from freedom campers.
And the Omarama Residents' and Ratepayers' Association will not take a seat at the table of the Mackenzie and Waitaki Basins Responsible Camping Strategy
Working Group — at least until after its short-term $548,000 strategy for the coming summer is implemented.
This comes after the association published survey results showing 86% of respondents wanted the association to have a voice on the camping working group and 63% wanted the camping ground closed until Doc installed its new toilet and fencing at the campsite.
Mackenzie District Council community facilities group manager Garth Nixon told the Otago Daily Times the camping working group — comprising representatives from the Mackenzie District Council, Waitaki District Council, Doc, Land Information New Zealand and the NZ Transport Agency — decided "weeks ago" that for now the association's representation on the group would be through Waitaki District Council staff and the local community board.
"As the responsible freedom camping group moves forward after establishing the initial programmed work, [they] plan to establish a reference group made up of interested groups, which could include, among others, the Omarama residents association," he said.
