Almost half a million dollars in funding will help Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) beef up its responsible camping initiatives this summer.

It will have new responsible camping ambassadors and a 24/7 enforcement staff presence, QLDC general manager community services Ken Bailey said.

When used in previous years, both of the initiatives led to a noticeable improvement in visitor behaviour and a reduction in camping-related complaints made to QLDC, Ken said.

“In the past, we’ve found the majority of visitors to the Queenstown Lakes want to do the right thing and care for our world class environment,” he said.

However, the poor behaviour of a small minority of campers “can have a disproportionately negative effect and remains our concern,” he said.

Ken asked residents to report any negative behaviour - like camping in a non-designated area, any pollution, or public nuisance - to QLDC.

Some campervans have been parked overnight in the new car parks along Wānaka’s Ardmore Street in recent weeks, part of the recently completed Lakefront Development Plan stage 2. 

A van parked on the Wānaka lakefront this morning (Friday December 16) has been ticketed and provided an information pamphlet

Early morning walkers have seen tickets placed on the vans while the inhabitants slept.

Enforcement staff will be available to respond 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and can be reached by calling 03 443 0024.

QLDC has received $450,000 in funding from the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment’s (MBIE) Freedom Camping Transition Fund to support the responsible camping initiatives.

The MBIE funding will also be used for educational material and new signage advising campers of where they can and can’t camp as well as clear details on what constitutes a certified self-contained vehicle.

PHOTO: Wānaka App