Campers risky for penguin colonies

Posted 25/05/2011

Penguins on the North Otago coastline must be protected from freedom campers, the Waitaki District Council has been told.
The council yesterday heard submissions to its draft Environmental Nuisance and Freedom Camping Control bylaw.
Department of Conservation solicitor Pene Williams told councillors there were five areas south of Oamaru where penguins, mostly yellow-eyed, had breeding colonies; Bushy Beach, Shag Point, Katiki Beach, Moeraki Peninsula, and Tavora Beach.
"Research has indicated that penguin nesting success is significantly decreased if birds are disturbed by people.
"There is also a concern that people will have dogs with them who could also disturb these vulnerable birds."
DOC also had regular issues with rubbish at the Moeraki Boulders site, she said. It would prefer a ban on freedom camping in parts of the area.
There were other places for campers to go, she said.
"There is a private campground at Moeraki and the department also has campsites nearby at Trotters Gorge and Glencoe near Herbert."
However, in principle the bylaw was "great". She encouraged the council to adopt it instead of waiting until the Government's Freedom Camping Bill to pass through parliament.
"This is not just our problem, this is not just your problem, this is everybody's problem and we need to work together to resolve it."
The council decided to "pause" its adoption of the bylaw until the end of August when the bill was hoped to have been passed.
Policy manager Fraser Liggett said the Department of Internal Affairs was still "teasing through" the logistics of applying the law.
Mayor Alex Familton said the council had little choice but to delay adopting the bylaw.
"The possibility of dealing with all this information and establishing this bylaw by the end of the month is not going to be an option."
The Government hopes to have freedom camping legislation in place by the Rugby World Cup in October.
The law will let councils and DOC determine where camping is allowed, where it is restricted to vehicles with self-containment, and where it is banned. Signage will be put in place.
Anyone in breach of the law will be slapped with a $200 instant fine.
Campervan hire companies will be made to record and disclose details so fines can be enforced.

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