Freedom campers who deposit human excrement and rubbish in many of the Queenstown Lakes district's scenic spots - and even in shopping areas - can expect a much tougher prosecution policy in future.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council yesterday released a new, hard-line policy document for public consultation, saying the mainly "educational role" it used in dealing with offenders, especially those who park illegally in no-camping areas, was no longer acceptable.
"We want to take a hard line on littering and the dumping of human waste," community services general manager Paul Wilson said in a press release.
"It's not acceptable in any environment, let alone a destination such as the Queenstown Lakes district, and unfortunately we have plenty of examples over the years where people have not respected the environment they are there to enjoy."
Freedom camping is defined as "the use of public land for free overnight camping" and is regarded as a major part of New Zealand's tourism industry.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council estimates between 50 and 100 vehicles camp in the district each night, especially over the summer, which could amount to 150,000 "bed nights" a year.
Contractors who patrol camping sites favoured by visitors in Queenstown and Wanaka are bound by a local parking bylaw to issue infringement notices of only $40 to offenders but, under the proposed policy, that would rise to $100 - "and be actively enforced", Mr Wilson said.
But district council harbourmaster Marty Black said, in his opinion, the new fine should be as much as $200.
Approached for comment yesterday, Mr Black said he could tell "quite a few horror stories" about incidents involving freedom campers who have abused facilities.
He recalled one example in the council's car park in central Queenstown last year where campers left human excrement outside their van while they slept.
Police were called and the offenders woken up and ordered to clean it up.
"There have been some pretty revolting cases. The thing is, if they did that in their own country they'd get arrested," he said.
While he emphasised there were a lot of "good people" freedom camping as well, he believed there was a need to do away with the softly-softly approach - in effect, moving offenders on.
But taking a hard line on enforcement should go hand in hand with the council providing more adequate signs, especially at the main entrances to Queenstown and Wanaka.
He did not believe language problems were a major issue for overseas visitors as the district used international signs.
Yesterday's move follows more than four years of campaigning by the Guardians of Lake Hawea to try to stop the spoiling of local beauty spots throughout the Upper Clutha district.
Various members of the Guardians have been collecting photographic evidence of offensive deposits and indiscriminate dumping of rubbish since they first approached the Wanaka Community Board in August 2004 for help developing a "zero tolerance policy" against defecating and urinating in the wild.
The council's document released yesterday listed 50 "hotspots", including some near Wanaka, Cardrona and Lake Hawea, where rubbish, human waste and illegal fires are being lit.
But a visit by the Otago Daily Times to the lookout over Lake Hawea on State Highway 6 (not on that list) found toilet paper in the bushes and trapped on fences, as well as a pile of fly-blown human excrement in front of a rubbish tin.
Guardians chairman Grant Fyfe said the guardians got their first look at the policy at a meeting on Wednesday night and the group was not yet in a position to comment on it.
"We are pleased at last the council is developing a policy on the matter. It has been a cause for considerable concern for the guardians for a long time. We will be making submissions on it," Mr Fyfe said.
His initial impression was the policy showed information signs warning against freedom camping did not work.
He felt some sympathy for campers who simply did not know what to do and were not getting information about where they could camp or go to the toilet.
"It is just not a particularly sexy topic and people move on to other things," he said.
Mr Wilson said the 50 hotspots had emerged from a QLDC audit of the district's roads in February and showed 98% had camping related rubbish present, 30% had evidence of a camp fire and 16% had evidence of human waste, despite 28% of those hotspots having no-camping signs.
"We propose identifying areas where self-contained camping (on-board toilets) can take place, but also identify areas where freedom camping will not be allowed and enforce that rule," Mr Wilson said.
The proposal, available on the QLDC website and at its offices, is open for public comment until May 15.
• Waitaki District Council property manager Dougall McIntyre said when contacted the council was negotiating with the Crown and Meridian Energy over the same issue.
There were "tremendous" health and safety issues. There were also issues with open fires. He hoped something would be implemented by August this year.
The story so far
2004: Guardians of Lake Hawea representatives seek Wanaka Community Board support for a nationwide human waste policy and the construction of more public toilets in the district.
2004: Otago Conservation Board gives support to guardians' campaign and asks it to collect evidence of the spoiling effects of human faeces on reserves and waterways.
2005: Wanaka Community Board endorses creation of a working party to target travellers who deposit human waste. 2006: QLDC passes a bylaw prohibiting freedom camping unless the vehicle displays a sticker stating it has self-contained ablution facilities.
2007: Mayor Clive Geddes tells tourists "don't use our neck of the woods as a toilet" at a Wanaka Community Board meeting. During the same meeting, the board resolved to fund inspectors to conduct roadside education and then-chairman Bill Gordon admonished Tourism New Zealand for giving an award to a company that hired out campers that did not contain toilets.
2007: Tourism Industry Association of NZ forms a national freedom camping forum, with representation from many organisations including the QLDC, NZ Motor Caravan Association, Department of Conservation and campervan operators.
2008: "Camping our way" website launched (www.camping.org.nz), campervan window stickers and posters developed, information and training provided to staff at holiday parks, and visitor and information centres, adoption of set of regional camping policies; development of a non-permissive camping sign for use by all regions.
2008: Ministry of Tourism provided $20,000 from the New Zealand Tourism Strategy 2015 fund to develop the website and associated information.
2009: QLDC releases its freedom camping policy for public comment. Submissions are due on May 15.
