Today, Auckland Council’s Governing Body approved the draft Freedom Camping bylaw to go out for public consultation.
The draft bylaw has been developed under the Freedom Camping Act 2011, which means that the council can only restrict or prohibit the activity at a site if it has robust evidence to do so.
Councillor Linda Cooper, Chair of the Regulatory Committee, says staff have carried out assessments of over 1000 council-controlled sites, which has led to a draft bylaw including 422 sites where freedom camping is proposed to be prohibited or restricted across the region.
“The main aim of the bylaw is to define the number of suitable freedom camping sites, so that we have less of the over-crowding and nuisance activity that we’ve previously experienced.
“We hope that this will also allow freedom campers to experience different parts of our beautiful region, but we also know that we must have the appropriate safeguards in place.
“A lot of work has been done over the past year, including working closely with local boards and stakeholders, and now it’s time to hear what Aucklanders think," says Councillor Cooper.
A bylaw under the Freedom Camping Act will also mean enforcement officers can issue a $200 infringement fine to anyone who breaches a prohibition or restriction.
Auckland Council’s Regulatory Compliance unit uses a graduated enforcement approach. This means they will help people to comply with the rules in the first instance by giving information and advice on the regulations.
Councillors expressed interest in hearing from submitters their views on how the enforcement of this bylaw should be resourced.
Consultation will open on 3 December and run for an extended period through summer until 18 February.
Read the full report here
More information about how to have your say, and events will be available on OurAuckland and the council website from 3 December.