"However you can't please all of the people all of the time so we have accommodated everyone's views as much as we can."
A number of submissions expressed concern for homeless people in Whanganui and Joblin requested a clause in the bylaw to ensure they would not be disadvantaged by conditions of the bylaw, which the committee agreed to.
Submitters represented local freedom campers as well as some from other places who like to visit Whanganui.
Other submitters were holiday park owners and residents with wide-ranging views on the bylaw provisions.
Some wanted to support Whanganui camping grounds and Darryl Dowman of Lakelands Holiday Park at Wiritoa suggested limiting the number of freedom camping sites.
"It seems ridiculous to have 12 freedom camping sites throughout our city unlike any other place in the country," he said.
Dowman said designated sites should be on the outskirts of the city and suggested Landguard Bluff and the former dumpsite in Hinau St, which he said is now a nice area and not a public reserve.
He said it is unfair that people in $100,000 motor homes should be unwilling to pay the $15 he charges for an unpowered site and take up space in areas funded by ratepayers.
Dowman said freedom campers tend to visit the attractions where there is no cost and spend very little money at local businesses.
However, freedom campers who made submissions said they do support local restaurants and cafes and a bylaw that is too restrictive was likely to deter them from visiting Whanganui.
One man who visits Whanganui regularly said it was good to have freedom campers parked in spots frequented by "boy racers" and suggested that campers' vehicles provide helpful roadblocks for would-be racers.
Another submitter suggested that the council could lease land to New Zealand Motor Caravan Association (NZMCA) so they can set up a park similar to others dotted around the country.
"Maybe if Whanganui had an NZMCA park a lot of the problems would disappear," he wrote.
A few submitters were opposed to a bylaw but most deemed it necessary to limit the exploitation of ratepayer-funded resources.
"We need it so that tourists, grey nomads and the like don't live off the ratepayer and undermine legitimate businesses such as campgrounds," said one.
"I do think that there is a need to be flexible and allow some leniency for homeless people who are unable to find accommodation and have to tent in these areas."
However, some freedom campers said they provide a lot of value to local businesses.
"We spend around $500 a week in whatever town we are in," said one.
"The only thing you would be doing with this bylaw is making people pass Whanganui by," said one.
The council committee decided to prohibit freedom camping from Blyth St and Pukenamu Drive to protect the important Whanganui locations.
One of the sites identified for regulation is the Anzac Parade freedom camping site.
There has been community concern on the issue of homelessness recently and Safer Whanganui, a joint council and community group providing leadership on public safety and wellbeing, also made a submission.
The council's community wellbeing manager, who is also part of Safer Whanganui, Lauren Tamehana, said work is being done to find longer-term solutions.
"Where homelessness is identified, the council is working with key agencies to connect people with agencies that could help them, including the Ministry of Social Development."
The council's corporate group manager Stephanie Macdonald-Rose said it was important to address homelessness as a separate concern.
"Homelessness is a complex issue, and while we recognise that the community has concerns, the freedom camping bylaw will not resolve issues stemming from homelessness," she said.
"The council's aim in adopting this bylaw will be to protect our public places and access to those places for everyone in our community. We want to take a balanced approach and it's important that visitors to our district can access and enjoy those places as well," Macdonald-Rose said.
