A "big change in behaviour" with regard to freedom campers had occurred in the Queenstown Lakes district since the council introduced its Freedom Camping Bylaw last year, and had issued 888 $200 infringement notices.
In his report to the council, the community services general manager, Paul Wilson, said that of the infringement notices issued, 165 had been paid, 208 had been waived and 498 were outstanding.
A further 17 notices would proceed to court.
Mr Wilson said there had been some publicity about the payment of enforcement notices, but before the council had introduced its bylaw, enforcement was limited to the town centres in Wanaka and Queenstown.
"It was costing us just over $60,000 per annum.
"Now, our total cost to council will be $25,000 at the end of this financial year, but what we're seeing is a big change in behaviour ... and a reduction in costs."
The problem of freedom campers, often overseas tourists, leaving the country without paying their fines was an issue the Government was aware of, but Mr Wilson said the council could not go beyond the powers included in its bylaw.
Cr Simon Stamers-Smith said if the council had "the power to clamp" it would "solve the problem".
However, Mr Wilson said that although nobody wanted to pay a fine, freedom campers were being fined in a way "that's not too heavy-handed, giving it in a positive way".
"We are using force because that's what's getting the message out there that we are taking this seriously."
Of the infringement notices issued, 208 had been waived.
Mr Wilson said there were several reasons for waivers, for example if someone had arrived in town at 1am when it was dark and did not see the signs warning against freedom camping.
"Does the council want to accept that or not?
"Those are questions that need to be answered," Mr Wilson said.
Freedom camping
Statistics in the Queenstown Lakes district.
• The gross cost of compliance year-to-date is about $40,000. Of that, $34,000 has been recovered through paid fines.
• To date, 888 infringement notices have been issued to freedom campers.
• 208 of those have been waived.
• 165 have been paid.
• 498 infringement notices are outstanding.
• 17 infringement notices are proceeding to court.
