As tourist numbers increase, the lack of a freedom camping ambassador is being felt by locals in the Catlins, and there is an urgent call to replace the role.
The ambassador educates freedom campers on the rules, but funding for the role spot dried up last year.
Southland District Council is being asked to fill the position by Waihopai Toetoe Community Board, which said a lack of oversight in popular areas was frustrating local communities.
"Last year, unfortunately, we didn’t have one.
"With the increase in tourism numbers, we just need that education perspective and ... people enforcing how long you can stay in the freedom camping areas."
She presented at the council’s hearing for its long-term plan consultation on Tuesday.
In her submission, Ms Yorke said she had taken up the matter with staff but had not received a satisfactory response.
Meanwhile, tourism numbers were on the rise — about 90,000 people visited Curio Bay last year.
"I was advised by staff that when the opportunity for funding came up, it was a brief turnaround timeframe, so it wasn’t applied for last year. This is not acceptable."
Key areas for freedom camping referenced in the submission included Fortrose, Weir Beach, Slope Point, Waikawa and Curio Bay.
At the latter, freedom camping was not permitted, but some visitors to the area flouted the rules.
Having the role moved people along who had stayed longer than their allotted time, which prevented facilities from overloading and dealt with people camping in non-certified vehicles, Ms Yorke said.
Council group manager of regulatory services Adrian Humphries said his organisation had been without freedom camping ambassadors since the summer of 2022-23.
The council was currently reviewing its regulatory requirements and might request funding of ambassadors if it was deemed appropriate.
- LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
