Freedom Camping Bylaw 2017 Amendments

Feedback has now closed. Revised bylaw adopted 3 December 2020

Following recent consultation and hearings the following amendments to the bylaw have been agreed to by the Council: 

• The permitted freedom camping site at Waitapu Bridge has been removed from the bylaw. This site is now under the control of NZTA and will be managed by them with input from Manawhenua Ki Mohua. The Council no longer has jurisdiction in this area. 

• The permitted freedom camping site at Taupata Point has been removed from the bylaw. This site will no longer be serviced with toilets and bins. 

These amendments mean that there are no non-self-contained freedom camping sites on Council-controlled land in Golden Bay. Self-contained vans meeting the applicable standard may still camp in the allocated spaces at Motupipi car park and in other areas as indicated in Clause 6.2 of the bylaw. 

• The use of Decks Reserve in Motueka by non-self-contained vehicles has been removed from the bylaw. Only self-contained vehicles meeting the applicable standard may camp there in the allocated spaces. 

• The freedom camping site at Alexander Bluff will be modified to create a specific area for freedom camping with marked spaces. There will be a limit of 40 vehicles allowed at the site. 

An alternative site at the former Rototai tip site has been rejected by the Council. 

The bylaw amendments came into effect from 7 December 2020.  The bylaw is available to view on line here or you can read a hard copy at all Council offices and libraries. 

Note: A road previously under the control of Council at Waikoropupu Springs Golden Bay, which had a freedom camping prohibition on it, has been removed from the bylaw, as Department of Conservation now control this land.