Just seven per cent of submissions have supported the proposed Queenstown Lakes District Freedom Camping Bylaw 2021.

Hearings on the proposed bylaw will take place this week, at the council chambers in Queenstown today (Monday September 27) and the Lake Wānaka Centre on Wednesday (September 29).

Of the 246 submissions, 213 were opposed (86 per cent) with just 17 in support (7 per cent).

The bylaw proposes a number of new areas in which to prohibit freedom camping, including the Hāwea Flat township, the Crown Range Road, and the Motutapu Road track end.

It recommends freedom camping by certified self-contained vehicles in some new areas, including the gravel car park beside the Camp Hill Road bridge (Hāwea Flat).

Previous: New freedom camping bylaw follows survey

A number of submitters opposed the Camp Hill Road bridge site, saying the parking area was already busy, especially in summer, and the 100kmh speed limit posed a risk to traffic accessing the site.

“During the summer months this carpark is very busy with people using ‘the Wave’, and cyclists, walkers and dog walkers using the nearby Newcastle Track,” David Barber said.

“The car park entry is in a 100kph speed limit section. This along with the one lane give way bridge, and increased traffic at the entry, would necessitate considerable traffic control measures to make the entry safe.”

Other submitters questioned the need for freedom camping sites at all, saying there were adequate Department of Conservation sites and commercial camping grounds in the district to accommodate tourists.

“I do not understand why we support tourists to freedom camp when we have perfectly good locals running many campgrounds around the region. These are fully serviced with showers, toilets and rubbish bins and they are reasonably priced for people looking to sleep in their own vehicles,” one submitter said.

The bylaw strikes a balance between providing appropriate areas for freedom camping while prohibiting it from unsuitable sites, the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) said.

After an initial survey of public opinion councillors approved the new bylaw in July. It was then open for public submissions, which closed on Friday September 3.

The Freedom Camping Act 2011 (FCA) allows freedom camping anywhere in a local authority area, except at sites where it is specifically prohibited or restricted by that same authority.

Information on the hearings can be found here.

PHOTO: Wānaka App