Workers fined for freedom camping

JARED NICOLL

The number of freedom campers sleeping out illegally in Marlborough peaked over the last month due to wayward vineyard workers and Kiwi holidaymakers, says Marlborough District Council.

Tourists and vineyard workers are drawn to Marlborough over summer, resulting in a rise in the number of people sleeping in vehicles in public places, such as Pollard Park and Oliver Park near central Blenheim, which are not designated camping sites.

The closest designated sites are Collins Memorial Reserve, Koromiko, and Blairich Reserve, Awatere.

Council reserves and amenities officer Robert Hutchinson said the number of campers breaking the rules in the area in January was on par with the same month a year earlier, when 155 people were found freedom camping in Marlborough.

"We see a lot of vineyard workers, but we've been seeing a few Kiwis trying to get a cheap trip too."

Council staff issued the region's first freedom camping infringement notice under the 2011 Freedom Camping Act, a fine of $200, to two French vineyard workers after they were caught camping three times in an undesignated area in mid-January.

"The thing with freedom campers is most of them are just driving through so it shouldn't be a problem.

"We understand the network [between campers] is pretty strong, where they can hide and get away with it. We find the ones that aren't part of the network."

Council reserves ranger Murray Morgan said a bigger effort was being made to educate people about freedom camping rules.

"Around the Blenheim area it's mainly seasonal vineyard workers who camp for one or two nights then move to another spot and there's been a few that have popped up in four or five places.

"It's not as big a problem as it used to be. Most of them are good as gold once you explain things to them."

Council staff handed out pamphlets to campers with information on where they could stay, and contacted contracting businesses who specialised in providing workers to vineyards to encourage them to tell their staff the rules, he said.

Vincon Limited director Ram Kumara said the company organised accommodation for its workers.

"We're an RSE (Recognised Seasonal Employer) and the Department of Labour checks we are meeting the requirements, like ensuring they have a place to stay," Mr Kumara said.

The Recognised Seasonal Employer Work Policy allows for the temporary entry of overseas horticultural and viticulture workers.

Ace Viticulture owner Ashish Sawant said he offered advice to his workers on where to stay and most of them stayed in backpackers or motorhomes.

For information on camping visit the website

- The Marlborough Express

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Workers fined for freedom camping