Freedom camping survey 'flawed'

EMMA DANGERFIELD

A survey being circulated to gauge the Kaikoura community's opinion on freedom camping has been met with criticism from councillors and local businesses.

The survey was compiled by Kaikoura District Council staff before new bylaws on freedom camping are introduced, after the Freedom Camping legislation brought in last year.

The survey asks questions such as: How long have you lived in Kaikoura, and do you work in or own commercial visitor accommodation – questions councillor John Macphail said were misleading.

"What does it matter how long people have been here or what business we are in?" he said. "The average ratepayer is going to be asking: `What the hell are you asking that for?'."

Councillor Neil Pablecheque agreed, saying there were too many irrelevant questions.

"All we want to know at the end of the day is do we want freedom camping."

Gerald Nolan, owner of Top 10 Holiday Park, said the council had missed the point when it came to freedom camping. Allowing freedom camping in town would result in the ratepayer picking up the tab for sewer, water, refuse and monitoring costs, and local campgrounds would employ fewer people and spend less on local services.

He too agreed the survey was loaded and questioned the need for the council to know how many guests he had staying at his campground.

"[The] survey asks no questions regarding the financial impact on the community if freedom camping is allowed," he said. "This community relies on the tourist dollar to create employment and retain services for our economic and social betterment ... there is only one winner in this debate and that is the free camper who wants our community to pay for their holiday."

Mr Nolan said true freedom camping did not mean parking in car parks and urban streets and he did not believe such campers spent much money in town at all.

Councillor John Diver also said at last week's meeting that the survey was also flawed because it did not include a map to show the areas council could and could not control – much of Kaikoura land is controlled by the Conservation Department or Environment Canterbury.

The survey is being issued with the rates, and can also be found at the council offices or library. It must be completed and returned by March 16, and will help the council to determine whether or not a bylaw is introduced, and who will pay for monitoring if a bylaw is introduced.

- The Marlborough Express

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Freedom camping survey 'flawed'