Kelli Lamare's concerns more of Macandrew Bay is being opened up to freedom campers, including the beach reserve car park (pictured behind), have been dismissed by the Dunedin City Council. Photo by Gerard O'Brien.

Concerns the Macandrew Bay community is being opened up to more freedom camping, and any problems that come with it, are not justified, the Dunedin City Council says.

The council was responding to concerns raised yesterday by Macandrew Bay resident Kelli Lamare and Macandrew Bay Boating Club commodore Tony Macrinowski.

Both told the Otago Daily Times new freedom camping signs installed this month appeared to expand the scope of a contentious trial under way in Macandrew Bay.

The signs, as well as directing vehicles without toilets to five parks next to Ralph Ham Park, now also advertised other areas in Macandrew Bay as available for use by campers in vehicles with their own toilets.

That included four more car parks next to Ralph Ham Park, and other spaces next to the Macandrew Bay Boating Club and the beach reserve car park.

Mrs Lamare said the changes would only encourage freedom camping, which had been increasing in Macandrew Bay since the introduction of the council's freedom camping bylaw in 2011.

''They've now opened the whole bay to freedom camping ... where is their mandate to do that? Why are they trying to upset us?''I feel like they've completely changed the rules,'' she said.

Mr Macrinowski agreed, saying he thought he had an assurance the club's car park - owned by the council - would not be used as a freedom camping stop.

Freedom campers could get in the way of the club's activities, as well as impeding access to rescue boats based there, which were used by Dunedin police and the coastguard for emergencies, he said.

More here:

Camper van sign concerns