Published as Issue No. 82
30 September, 2013
This ‘between newsletters’ bulletin has been distributed to invite input to a submission to the City Council on a proposed by-law which would allow free camping on the Te Raekaihau Point, Princess Bay carpark. Huib from View Rd is coordinating a local submission and already has had some input. He writes:
“I was reading the Wellingtonian and saw that the city council camping by-laws are under review. Currently freedom camping is prohibited in Wellington but this ban is not legal and the council has to indicate areas where camping is prohibited and areas where it is restricted. The council is proposing allowing freedom (i.e. free) camping at Te Raekaihau Point, Princess Bay and Owhiro Bay, with a maximum of four nights, and toilet facilities to remain open overnight.
The deadline for submissions is 5 pm on 4 October. As one of the two proposed sites is located directly within our community in Houghton Bay, this change will have a direct implication for our community. I haven’t fully thought through the issues but we need to consider the impact of the proposal such as pollution, safety at night for residents, light pollution, parking, environmental damage etc.
The council had to put a ban on freedom camping at Baleana Bay in January of this year because 25-30 vehicles per night where parking there, having rowdy parties and preventing locals from using the beach, generating multiple noise complaints per week. However, the proposed site is significantly further away from residential houses and most campers are responsible and sensible individuals. I wonder whether others would have any opinions about this proposal and whether we should be putting in a community submission.”
Norman