Groups concerned about the Upper Clutha being overrun by a "wave'' of freedom campers this summer will tackle the problem on three fronts.
A forum on Wednesday identified information, enforcement and infrastructure as the key elements of a solution.
The forum, called by Wanaka Community Board chairwoman Rachel Brown, included the Department of Conservation, Land Information New Zealand, the Queenstown Lakes District Council, Lake Wanaka Tourism and the New Zealand Transport Agency.
Ms Brown said the forum would resume in September once the groups had given more thought to what they were doing now and what they might be able to do to improve the situation.
Ms Brown said the invitation-only forum had helped those who attended understand the problem and consider some strategies that could be used before "the next summer wave rolls in''.
"Our main focus is on what we can actually do on the ground.
"Information, enforcement and infrastructure are the three main things we have got to get right.''
Ms Brown said there was a need for consistency across the groups.
"We can hopefully work together to get more effective enforcement because that's part of the message you want to give - that if you come to our area these are the places you can camp, these are the places you can't camp, and it will be enforced.''
Ms Brown said in respect of infrastructure, the "talk around the table'' was that there were plenty of places to camp, but there was a need for better information about where they were.
The forum agreed to make representations to the Government to have land administered by Linz and NZTA covered by the Freedom Camping Act in the same way as land administered by local authorities and Doc.
That would enable enforcement officers to deal with freedom camping on all Upper Clutha public land.
She considered the idea of using the Trespass Act to deal with illegal camping "impractical''.
Ms Brown said one of the points of agreement at the forum was to stop using the term "freedom camping'' and call it "responsible camping'' instead.
"We need to rename it so it puts the right message out there.''
