SVEN HERSELMAN <\/p>\n
Marlborough New Zealand Motor Caravan Association members Lawrence and Barbara Gledhill with their greatgranddaughter Delia Conner, 4, at the clubs Christmas party. <\/p>\n
Freedom camping is a part of Kiwi life that is unlikely to stop but needs to be properly regulated and policed, says the president of a campervan group. <\/p>\n
Marlborough New Zealand Motor Caravan Association president Kevin Addley said he had nothing against freedom camping so long as those using the allocated sites were sticking to the rules. <\/p>\n
He said one of the benefits of being in the association was that all members had access to \"park over\" properties. <\/p>\n
\"We have an index of these properties around the country where you can camp at very reasonable prices. Being self contained is very important and is a requirement of being a member of the association,\" he said. <\/p>\n
Freedom camping has been an ongoing issue in Marlborough, with campsite and holiday park owners upset after the Marlborough District Council last year opened a car park at Collins Memorial\/Koromiko Reserve near Picton to freedom campers. <\/p>\n
Last week, council announced that four further sites - A&P Park, the railway station, and the Wynen St car park in Blenheim and the High St car park in Picton - would be opened to freedom campers. The sites would operate on a trial-only basis during summer and would include strict conditions, including self-contained vehicles only, parking between 6pm and 9am, one night only and no hanging clothes. <\/p>\n
Addley said he wasn't against the new sites, although he didn't think the site in Picton was a good idea because of its location. <\/p>\n
\"These places need to be properly policed by council.\" <\/p>\n
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Read more: <\/p>\n
Call to patrol freedom camp sites<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" SVEN HERSELMAN Marlborough New Zealand Motor Caravan Association members Lawrence and Barbara Gledhill with their greatgranddaughter Delia Conner, 4, at the clubs Christmas party. Continue reading