Campers and the public are being asked to consider a proposal by the Waitaki District Council to lease Waitaki lakes camping grounds it manages to private operators.
A draft proposal was approved by the council in July after a review of the way the camping grounds were managed, what they were costing ratepayers, what capital injections may be needed in the future and various management options.
The council chose leasing out camping grounds - Parsons Rock, Boat Harbour, Wildlife Reserve, Loch Laird, Sailors Cutting - to private operators for up to 21 years as its favoured option.
Two camps - Falstone and Ohau C - are already under private management.
The council now wants to hear what people think by calling for public submissions, which close on Friday, January 23.
It will also have posters at its camping grounds and information sheets with the camping contractors to hand to campers.
Recreation manager Erik van der Spek said offering the camping grounds for lease created opportunities to develop the sites while still providing affordable facilities many Kiwi families had enjoyed for many years.
The council also proposed returning Lake Middleton to the Department of Conservation to manage.
Mr van der Spek is encouraging people to voice their opinion regardless of whether or not they use the camping grounds.
''This is an important issue and we want to hear from as many people as possible. The consultation period is open for two months, giving people plenty of time to respond,'' he said.
People can speak directly to council representatives at the Oamaru Farmers Market on December 21 and special meetings can also be arranged on request.
The proposal did not affect the present camping season, which was open until the first Sunday of May next year.
The review said that, over the last 13 years, the camps lost between $25,000 and $272,000 a year, picked up by ratepayers, who were subsidising campers.
It projected maintenance and capital costs over the next five years would range from $196,650 to $518,700 a year.
While the camps have basic facilities of water, rubbish collection, effluent dumping stations and toilets, some campers set up elaborate family or group compounds on a site they had occupied for decades.
The review followed a decision by the council in April, 2011, to ''substantially withdraw from the active management of camping grounds in the Waitaki district''.
Information on the review is at www.waitaki.govt.nz, libraries in the district and council offices in Oamaru and Palmerston.
WDC lakes camps
• Nine campsites at Lakes Aviemore, Benmore and Ohau.
• Ohau C and Falstone already under private management.
• Basic facilities.
• Open third Saturday in September.
• Close first Sunday in May.
• Ratepayer input $25,000 to $272,000 a year.
• Projected cost of between $196,650 and $860,000 a year over next five years.
• Season ticket $460; per night $15 family or $8 per person
