Change likely for freedom camping bylaw

Freedom camping bylaws in Marlborough are set to change, but not before another summer with the visitors.

Feedback from the public is likely to result in changes to Marlborough's freedom camping bylaw, but not in time for the upcoming summer season.

Marlborough District Council reserves and amenities manager Rosie Bartlett said the council had received 161 submissions regarding the bylaw, which indicated there was a need for change within the region.

Such a change would take time, she said.

The bylaw came into effect in 2012 and meant freedom campers were able to camp anywhere in the district except banned areas.

Koromiko resident Jessie Somerville said she would be advocating for changes to the bylaw, after a build up of people setting up camp in her neighbourhood, near the Collins Memorial Reserve, on the corner of State Highway 1 and Freeths Rd.

She was not against freedom camping, but preferred to see designated areas for campers, which were away from built-up areas.

"[They should be] in remote areas where there's no other alternative, [at the moment] they really are just taking money off people they should be supporting."

The council was taking business away from Picton campgrounds, motels, bars and restaurants, by having a free camping spot just minutes from the town, Somerville said.

The Koromiko reserve had a toilet block, which meant camping vehicles did not have to be self-contained to stop there.

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Change likely for freedom camping bylaw

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