The fallout from a High Court decision to revoke this district’s Freedom Camping Bylaw has continued, with Queenstown Lakes District Council’s (QLDC) deputy mayor estimating a new bylaw will cost ratepayers an additional $100,000.

Freedom camping restrictions in Queenstown Lakes are no longer being enforced after the bylaw on freedom camping was revoked following a legal case which cost ratepayers $135,803 in legal costs alone.

The New Zealand Motor Home Association (NZMCA) challenged the bylaw, and High Court Justice Osborne backed them, declaring QLDC’s bylaw invalid due to the unlawful influence and consideration of “irrelevant matters” - the economic impact on commercial campgrounds and the effects on private property amenity (such as dumped rubbish and waste).

Last week deputy mayor Quentin Smith told the Wānaka App the NZMCA had shown a “sickening” disregard for this district, after QLDC had worked to contain and control the impacts of a “freedom camping assault”.

Read more: Council stops enforcing freedom camping, legal costs mount

A local who asked not to be named told the Wānaka App he was “very disappointed” in Quentin’s comments, and blamed QLDC for “not getting proper advice and going gung ho over the attitude of we can do what we like with ratepayers’ money”.

Deputy mayor Quentin Smith: ‘Bad’ freedom campers have undermined the social licence of other campers. 

In response, Quentin said he wanted to make it clear that his criticism of the NZMCA did not reflect on its membership or the services it provides.

“NZMCA members are generally very responsible campers throughout New Zealand and are good ambassadors,” he said. “Unfortunately the ‘bad’ freedom campers and the activities enabled by these challenges undermine the social licence of their members.”

A costly new bylaw

QLDC is in the early stages of freedom camping bylaw development, and the process is expected to take approximately nine months. This will include community consultation, which is expected to take place early in 2025.

Quentin told the Wānaka App the new bylaw is estimated to cost around $100,000.

“That includes consultation, submissions and hearings; but excludes any specialist consultant costs, and the costs associated with any appeals,” Quentin said.

The freedom camping bylaw “has always been a large and contentious piece of work”, he added. By contrast, a simple bylaw update (like the Easter Trading Bylaw underway) is estimated to cost closer to $30,000 in internal costs.

During the summer ahead, QLDC ambassadors will be tasked with engaging with visitors, heading to popular freedom camping spots to share information on how to camp responsibly, local expectations and promoting local campgrounds nearby, the council says.

PHOTOS: Wānaka App