The Whakatāne District Council has approved additional funding of $20,000 to increase monitoring of areas designated for limited overnight parking of self-contained vehicles, reflecting ongoing complaints relating to non-compliance with regulations and 'antisocial behaviour'.
Speaking to a report tabled at last week's extraordinary Council meeting, Community Services General Manager Mike Naude said the unbudgeted funding provided would allow the designated sites to be patrolled twice a night through until 31 March next year. Following the peak season, the effectiveness of the monitoring system will be evaluated and reported back to the Council.
"Consideration can then be given to the possibility of introducing a Freedom Camping bylaw, in accordance with the Freedom Camping Act 2011, to provide enhanced enforcement options, if that will help deliver better results for the community," he said.
The report detailed a number of issues particularly relating to the use of three areas where limited overnight parking is allowed in Ōhope - West End Reserve (outside of the busy summer season), Maraetōtara Reserve and the Port Ōhope boat ramp reserve. Under the District's public places bylaw, overnight parking of self-contained vehicles (camper vans or equivalent which have their own toilet and ablution facilities) is allowed in those areas (and in the McAlister Street carpark in Whakatāne) within designated areas, and for a maximum of two consecutive nights in each location.
Common complaints acted upon by Council staff or after-hours contractors have included: the use of the sites by uncertified vehicles; vehicles parked outside of the designated areas; campers exceeding the two-night maximum stay limit; access for local users being blocked to facilities and recreational areas; depositing of refuse; antisocial activities; and consumption of alcohol in areas where that is prohibited.
Recommendations adopted by the Council will allow for the appointment of enforcement officers and the issuing of $200 infringement notices in some circumstances.
In moving the adoption of the report recommendations, Mayor Tony Bonne said the popularity of the sites was creating problems and too many campers were not behaving responsibly. "We have to take action now if these issues are going to be addressed over the summer months. I believe we will have to bring in a new bylaw under the Freedom Camping act, but this will at least give us some ability to control bad behaviour in the meantime," he said.
The recommendation relating to the appointment of enforcement officers was not adopted unanimously, with some Councillors expressing reservations about the approach and the ability to enforce infringement notices.