A group of 40 young people camping on the Cardrona riverbed since Sunday (December 27) had a scrub fire extinguished by Fire and Emergency NZ today (Friday January 1), following days of complaints from Mt Barker residents.

A resident told the Wanaka App at least five complaints had been made to the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) about the group, which had been camping on the riverbed since Sunday, but despite promises the council’s camping ambassadors would deal with it, nothing had been done until this morning.

“It's been a worry given the fire risk,” she said. “It's been non stop people coming to our place trying to get to their party.”

The resident said the illegal camp included six to 12 cars coming and going each day, and “bottles and rubbish everywhere”.

“It’s seriously stressful having 30 or so drunk young people screaming and yelling, and being generally obnoxious so close to our home. The thing is, young people are going to party. I feel that it's irresponsible to not have accommodation for those people somewhere,” she said.

While the Albert Town campground was peaceful last night, other areas weren’t so lucky. PHOTO: Wanaka App 

Police finally attended the Cardrona riverbed camp today, reportedly having previously told residents they would respond if the campers “start a fire or do something serious”.

A police spokesperson told the Wanaka App about 40 youths were camping on the dry riverbed.

“They had lit a fire using surrounding scrub which could have easily spread into nearby bush. The fire was extinguished by FENZ,” he said, adding the council was enforcing campers “in the parks”.

The QLDC did not respond to a request for comment about the illegal camping at the Cardrona River.

Meanwhile, Albert Town campground manager Rudi Sanders said security staff turned away groups of young people from the campground because of a new age restriction.

Rudi told the Wanaka App security at the campground had turned away “at least 150 young people” who had arrived at the campground during the past few days.

The campground rules changed in September, allowing those aged younger than 21 to camp only if part of a family group. Glass bottles and spirits were also not permitted.

Rudi said the change of rules followed an incident last summer when a young man nearly died of a drug overdose.

“We gave quite a lot of publicity through the media and Facebook, and word spreads very quickly with the young ones,” he said, adding that nonetheless many young people arrived at the camp trying to get in.

“We hoped we would be able to work something out for the young ones to go,” he said, adding that unfortunately neither the police nor the QLDC had appeared to make plans for a possible influx of young people with nowhere to stay.

“I don’t think there were any plans at all. I think council and police would rather not have young people in Queenstown or Wanaka.”

Rudi said one police officer had advised him a lot of young people were booking AirBnB accommodation for the holiday season.

Rudi said if the council provides entertainment for young people it also has a responsibility to ensure they have somewhere to stay.

“We do realise young ones want to go somewhere and celebrate in their own way and we felt sorry for them,” Rudi said.

“But as a host we have a responsibility. Albert Town is very suitable for families and we just can't take the responsibility and the liability to look after young people. They do not pay any attention to authority, they get quite aggressive.”

The Albert Town campground was very quiet last night, Rudi said, and the restrictions were likely to continue next year.

“It is a very nice family atmosphere, no shouting, no heavy drinking, no hooning around. It’s much better,” he said.