More than 70 fines have been issued in the first month of the new freedom camping bylaw, but that comes as no surprise to council staff.
Dunedin City Council Parks, Recreation and Aquatics group manager Richard Saunders said the changes contained in the bylaw came after two years of confusion over camping zones and frustrations from residents.
''It makes very clear rules to where you can and can't camp,'' he said.
Mr Saunders said there were many sites along the peninsula and in the city people could camp, though scenic reserves, cemeteries and a few previous peninsula parking sites were now off-limits.
Freedom campers were allowed to stay a maximum of two nights in the city's freedom camping spots, as long as the vehicle was self-contained, meaning it must have a toilet, grey waste and waste capacity for three days.
The city provided two non-self-contained freedom camping sites at Warrington Domain and Ocean View Recreation Reserve, though there were plenty of holiday parks in the city for non-self-contained travellers, Mr Saunders said.
He said although the DCC had issued more than 70 fines to campers for breaching the bylaw conditions since November 1, he was not surprised by the numbers.
''The numbers have reduced in a few weeks.''
Otago Peninsula Community Board chairwoman Christine Garey said the fact she was getting fewer complaints from residents about the freedom campers signalled that locals were probably happy with the changes.
She said the community board was thankful to the DCC staff who worked with a very short timeframe to get the bylaw through in time for the tourist season.
