LGOIMA Request Details: LG1916

Responsible Campers Association Incorporated

Council Freedom Camping Survey April 2020

Council _Manawatū District Council ________________________________________________

Bylaws;

Does Council have a Freedom Camping Bylaw? Yes

If yes, is Bylaw currently under review?  Yes

If Bylaw has expired, or is due to expire when is review due?  _________

General;

Does Council have specific sites for Freedom Camping  Yes / No yes and no? See description below.

(Freedom Camping Act, is permissive in intent, if not permissive then Council is considered to have a specific site approach)

The current Freedom Camping Bylaw 2014 is generally permissive in that people using self-contained vehicles are welcome to stay outside of the local authority areas listed in Schedule 1 (prohibited sites) and Schedule 2 (restricted sites). However, the only provision for non-self-contained freedom camping in the current bylaw is at camping grounds or approved camping areas.

The draft Freedom Camping Bylaw 2020 (as notified) identifies specific local authority areas as prohibited or restricted for freedom camping. Local Authority Areas described in draft Schedule 2 are restricted to self-contained vehicles only, whereas Local Authority Areas in draft Schedule 3 provide for some form of non-self-contained freedom camping (but are still subject to certain restrictions). People are allowed to freedom camp outside of scheduled areas if they are in a self-contained vehicle, that is, the draft Bylaw is permissive in that it has a default of self-contained freedom camping.

Does Council restrict Freedom Camping to Certified Self Contained Campers only? Yes / No

No – there is no reference to "Certified Self Contained Campers" in the Freedom Camping Bylaw 2014, or the draft Freedom Camping Bylaw 2020 (as notified).

Does Council restrict Campers in any other way? ie 'Accredited Responsible Campers'  Yes / No

Both the 2014 and the draft 2020 Freedom Camping Bylaws include general restrictions that freedom campers must comply with. Some sites also have additional specific restrictions (refer to the Schedules in the bylaws). However, there is no requirement for freedom campers to hold any form of accreditation.

Does Council formally, or informally, recognize the 'Accredited Responsible Campers' program  Formally / Informally / Not at all.

No. However, the 2014 and the draft 2020 bylaws both contain a set of principles, which are intended to encourage responsible freedom camping in the District.

Does Council encourage and permit Tent camping Yes / No

The 2014 bylaw only allows for tenting at camping grounds and or approved camping areas. The draft 2020 Bylaw provides for tenting in local authority areas where there are existing facilities that support this type of freedom camping – refer to Schedule 3 sites in the draft bylaw on Council's "Have Your Say" page (https://www.mdc.govt.nz/Contact-Us/Have-Your-Say/Bylaw-and-Policy-Review-2020).

Facilities/ Time limits;

Does Council have Camp sites with toilets accessible 24 /7? Yes / No

What time limits does Council impose on Freedom campers ? __3____nights

The 2014 Freedom Camping Bylaw limits freedom camping to three consecutive nights in any calendar month at any one site.

The draft 2020 Freedom Camping Bylaw is proposing to limit freedom camping to five nights in any 30 day period at any one Local Authority Area, except with the written approval of an Enforcement Officer.

Do any towns in Councils Jurisdiction hold 'Motor Home friendly Town' (MHFT) status

Yes – Feilding is a Motor Home Friendly Town.