Publications

Freedom camping

Bylaw 2011.

GREY DISTRICT COUNCIL FREEDOM CAMPING BYLAW 2011

The draft bylaw was approved for public consultation on 9 May 2011 and was confirmed by Grey District Council on 12 September 2011 following consideration of submissions received as part of the Special Consultative procedure.

For a printable copy of the Bylaw, please click on the following link.
Grey District Council Freedom Camping Bylaw 2011 (159 kb)

Contents:
Explanatory Note>>
1.0 Title and Date of Coming into Force>>
2.0 Purpose of Bylaw>>
3.0 Availability of Printed Copies>>
4.0 Interpretation>>
5.0 Overnight Camping Rules>>
6.0 Conditions for Freedom Camping>>
7.0 Freedom Camping Permits and Long Term Freedom Camping Permits>>
8.0 Offences and Penalties>>
Schedule 1 – Registered Motorhome Parks>>
Schedule 2 – Designated Camp Sites>>
Schedule 3 – Grey District Dump Point Locations>>

____________________________________________

Explanatory Note

The Grey District Council makes this Bylaw pursuant to the powers contained in Section 145 of the Local Government Act 2002.

The number of visitors using motorhomes as alternative accommodation and others who choose to camp outside licensed camping grounds have focused public attention on issues such as disposal of greywater and refuse, support for local businesses and amenity issues.

In order to prevent such issues becoming a significant problem, and to maintain and enhance the environment and the level of services provided in the District, Grey District Council strongly encourages visitors using mobile and other temporary accommodation, eg campervans, caravans, tents etc, and travelers to use licensed camping grounds (See Schedule 1>>).

However, one of the main reasons many people prefer to use motorhomes is for the perceived convenience and freedom of being able to pull off the road and camp wherever they feel like, with, in many cases, all the convenience of a home.

It is also recognised that such campers bring economic and social benefits to the areas they visit and their continued custom is to be encouraged.

This bylaw is an attempt to balance the needs and expectations of the local community with those of the motorhome users and other freedom campers.

Note: The freedom camping option is available to campers using self contained mobile accommodation only.

1.0 Title and Date Coming into Force

1.1 This bylaw shall be known as the ‘Grey District Council Freedom Camping Bylaw 2011’.

1.2 This Bylaw shall come into force as soon as finally confirmed by Council after having followed the process prescribed by Section 157 of the Local Government Act 2002.

2.0 Purpose of Bylaw

2.1 The purpose of this Bylaw is to protect, promote and maintain public health and safety and amenity by regulating freedom camping on Council property within the District and to:

a) Allow freedom camping on Council land in only mobile accommodation which are certified for purposes of NZS 5465 except in certain locations identified herein, subject to conditions outlined herein.

b) Prohibit other freedom camping other than in registered camps within the District.

c) Protect the environment.

3.0 Availability of Printed Copies

3.1 The Council shall have this bylaw printed and shall supply a complete copy to any person who requests it.

4.0 Interpretation

In this Bylaw:

Camp includes staying overnight in any public place or in a movable, portable or temporary structure in any form.

Camping has a corresponding meaning.

Registered Camps refer to the registered camping and motorhome parks identified in Schedule 1>> hereto and “camp” denotes the singular.

Council means the Grey District Council.

Designated Camp Site means a camp identified in Schedule 2>> hereto and are not camps irrespective of its distance from camps.

Duly Authorised Officer means any person formally approved to administer the requirements of the Bylaw on Council’s behalf.

Freedom Camping means to camp other than at a camping ground.

Mobile Accommodation means temporary accommodation that is movable or transportable.

Public Place means any place that, at any material time, is under the control of Council and is open to or being used by the public, whether or not there is a charge and includes any road whether or not it is under control of the Council. For avoidance of doubt, it includes every reserve, park, domain, beach, foreshore and recreational ground under the control of Council.

5.0 Overnight Camping Rules

5.1 A person must not camp:

a) In any area where Grey District Council “No Camping or Overnight Parking” signs are displayed; or

b) On public land within 1000 metres of a Registered Camp other than on Designated Camp Sites; or

c) In anything but a Registered Camp or Designated Camp Site.

6.0 Conditions for Freedom Camping

6.1 Freedom camping is permitted in public places other than those specified in 5.1 c) subject to:

a) Only vehicles which have a self containment certificate in relation to toilet and greywater storage in compliance with NZ 5465 may be used. In instances where self containment certificates in accordance with the above standard have not been obtained, campers may apply to the Council for a “Freedom Camping Permit” against payment of the prescribed fee. Campers issued with a freedom camping permit are deemed to have a self containment certificate for the Grey District.

b) No person may freedom camp for longer than three (3) consecutive nights in any single location.

c) No person may freedom camp for more than ten (10) nights in any calendar month within the District.

d) Body waste and household rubbish must be disposed of in a Council approved disposal facility.

e) On-board storage tanks must be emptied on a regular basis and in the prescribed, hygienic fashion at a Council approved dump point (Schedule 3>>).

f) All camping sites must be left in a clean and tidy condition.

g) Freedom campers are required to comply with any request to move on by any Duly Authorised Officer.

h) No such camping may take place in places identified in 5.1 a) and b) above.

6.2 Notwithstanding the provisions of 6.1 b) above, the period mentioned can, upon application and against payment of any fees that may be determined from time to time, be extended to maximum five (5) days, subject thereto that a Long Term Freedom Camping Permit as outlined in 7.3 hereunder is issued available for a minimum of six (6) days.

7.0 Overnight Camping Rules

7.1 Freedom Camping Permits will be issued by Council upon application for a maximum of 120 nights in every calendar year or part thereof. The permit may be declined or issued for a shorter period should the Council Officer consider the durability or suitability of any of the items listed in 7.2 or 7.3 or fixtures and fittings indicates such is desirable.

7.2 In relation to Freedom Camping Permits, the following minimum standards (to meet the sanitary requirements per person for a minimum of four (4) days) shall be met prior to a Freedom Camping Permit being issued by Council:

a) Water supply (12 litres per person minimum)

b) Sink

c) Toilet (3 litre sewage tank net capacity per person)

d) Holding tank (same or larger volume than fresh water)

e) Evacuation hose

f) Sealable refuse container (with lid)

g) All items (a - f) above and their fixtures and fittings must be made of suitable materials, correctly fitted, in good working order and suitable for the purpose.

7.3 In relation to Long Term Freedom Camping Permits, the following minimum standards (to meet the sanitary requirements per person for a minimum of six (6) days) shall be met prior to a Freedom Camping Permit being issued by Council:

a) Water supply (15 litres per person minimum)

b) Sink

c) Toilet (6 litre sewage tank net capacity per person)

d) Holding tank (same or larger volume than fresh water)

e) Evacuation hose

f) Sealable refuse container (with lid)

g) All items (a - f) above and their fixtures and fittings must be made of suitable materials, correctly fitted, in good working order and suitable for the purpose.

7.4 Notwithstanding the provisions of 6.1 a) and 6.2, Council will have the right to withdraw any permit issued in terms of Clause 7.0 if reasonable assumption of a breach of this bylaw exists.

8.0 Offences and Penalties

8.1 Every person commits a breach of this bylaw who:

a) Commits or causes to be committed, any act contrary to this bylaw.

b) Refuses or neglects to comply with any notice or request or any condition in any such notice or request given by a Duly Authorised Officer pursuant to this bylaw.

c) Obstructs or hinders any officer of the Council in the performance of any power or duty conferred upon him or her by this bylaw.

8.2 Any person who fails to comply with any part of this bylaw commits an offence and shall be subject to the penalty provisions outlined in Section 242(4) of the Local Government Act 2002.

Schedule 1 - Registered Motorhome Parks

Challenge Service Station Motor Camp
Coast Autos
Tainui Street, Greymouth

Greymouth Seaside Top 10 Holiday Park
2 Chesterfield Street, Greymouth

Lake Brunner Country Motel, Cabins & Campervan Park
2014 Arnold Valley Road, Moana

Lake Brunner Motor Camp
86 Ahau Street, Moana

Rapahoe Beach Motor Camp
10 Hawken Street, Rapahoe

South Beach Motel & Motorpark
318 Main South Road, Greymouth

Schedule 2 - Designated Camp Sites

Cobden Bridge Domain
Cobden

Jellyman Park Beachfront area
Cobden

Schedule 3 - Grey District Dump Point Location

Blackball Public Dump Station
Located at Blackball Recreation Reserve in South Town Belt