FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE President of the Board NZ Motor Caravan Association

TCDC’S Backward Step With Freedom Camping Ban

Tourism Coromandel goes back 20 years with Council’s decision to ban Freedom Camping

The decision of the Thames Coromandel District Council to start issuing infringement notices to all motor homers who freedom camp overnight will set Tourism in the Coromandel back twenty years says the President of the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association Mr. Dick Waters.

Mr. Waters responded to what he calls the draconian approach by the Thames Coromandel District Council with their impending by-law to issue infringement notices to all and everyone who do not park within licensed camp sites. The following article is the view of the New Zealand Motor Caravan Associations President representing the 40,000 individual members of his Association.

The legal battles that this by-law will generate will be mammoth. What is camping and what is parking overnight in a registered motorhome vehicle fully compliant with all regulations? The issuing of infringement notices is only the start of the problem for Council. Enforcement officers may be able to issue infringements but how will they actually collect the money from the hundreds of tourists that have left the country before payment is due? How will they define camping? And how will a by-law over rule a Government Act? How will the flow on effect damage our tourism image? Further problems are going to exist over the peak holiday seasons with registered camps unable to accommodate the traditional influx of motorhomes. I contend that herein lies the background to the new by-law being created by the council. The intense lobbying from camp owners for legislative protection by councils in attempts to force motor homers to use their camps, many of which the council have an invested interest in, is commercially driven and has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with keeping NZ clean and green. The damage to Tourism will suffer as will the commercial gains for local businesses. The 20,500 NZMCA family groups spend over 90 million dollars throughout NZ in any one year. Surely the Coromandel business fraternity would want to continue to receive a slice of that cake. That figure does not include the overseas tourists who will quickly learn not to visit the Coromandel; in fact I can envisage rental companies advising them not to.

This theory is reinforced when one researches the number of public 24 hour waste dump stations supplied by council for motorhomers to use. Coromandel has fewer than any other council in NZ. If council is genuine in their desires to keep NZ clean and green why have they not supplied readily accessible recycling and waste disposal areas? or does it all come back to creating monetary gain from infringement notices? While it is appreciated there may be some problems from non self contained vehicles I do not agree that the course of action in banning all freedom camping is the correct way to go. It is common knowledge that it is a small number of travellers who create the very problem that they are trying to control. To implement a blanket ban that unfairly punishes environmentally conscious freedom campers (who in fact could be part of their solution) is a backward step. It is amazing how a simple photograph of someone desecrating our environment sent to the appropriate authorities who have the systems in place to follow up the offence with appropriate action would go a long way to managing the problem.

As a matter of interest NZMCA members spend considerable time and money in ensuring that motorhomes & caravans are self contained to the NZ S5465:3001 Self containment of Motor Caravans and Caravans. The NZMCA have worked with many NZ Councils to develop sensible freedom camping policies. These Councils recognize this standard within their policies allowing for certified vehicles to freedom camp in designated areas (a proactive approach that has provided both environmental and economical benefits). In an effort to help Council staff distinguish between certified and non certified vehicles, the NZMCA have developed a nationally recognized responsible camper sticker. This green sticker is clearly visible on the back of motorhomes demonstrating their commitment to the environment.

As a result no one will find evidence what so ever of where any of our certified self contained vehicles have camped at any point in their travels.

Should this infringement by-law go ahead the Thames Coromandel District Council can expect our members to stay clear of the Coromandel. Surely a more researched solution could be found. As mentioned, many Councils in NZ are now setting aside areas for self contained motorhomers to use as free overnight parking areas and are encouraging them to visit and stay within their areas. By using this approach the alleged problems can be controlled. They are the progressive councils and they will be the winners whilst at the same time assisting all New Zealanders in welcoming the international and internal tourists who contribute so much to the NZ economy. Tourism brings billions of dollars into this country, lets all assist to control and encourage this valuable commodity assisting our country to recover from the world wide recession at the same time. Wouldn’t that be a better approach than the “head in the sand” attitude of the Thames Coromandel District Council? It will be interesting to monitor and see how the Thames Coromandel proposed infringement system will work out. Time will tell.

Just as a matter of interest the following is a précis of how active the New Zealand Motor Caravan Association is with its self containment policies.

Membership •20,500 family group memberships (40,000 individuals) •Representing approx. 80% of the licensed private motor caravans on New Zealand Roads •Consists of retirees touring the country and 50+ age group that travel frequently •Committed to promoting sustainable motorhome tourism NZMCA Initiatives •Upgraded the NZ Standard for self containment for self-contained motor caravans (NZ 5465:2001) •Activity endorses that all motor caravans (includes all motorhomes, RV’s, campervans, and towed caravans) become self contained.

•Operates a certification scheme where accredited self contained officers ensure that vehicles comply with the current standard and issue certificates of compliance through the national office.

•Assisted KEA campers to certify their entire fleet to the NZS 5464:2001 self containment standard through this scheme.

Dump Station Funding •The NZMCA in partnership with KEA campers offers financial subsidies for the instillation of public dump stations •The subsidy package includes either a monetary subsidy or a donation of a precast dump station unit. All associated road signage is also donated.

•Our volunteers assist contractors and Councils to choose suitable locations for these dump stations as well as technical advice on the actual installation.

Education •Provides information through publications and environmental packs to our members, Councils, and the public regarding sustainable motor caravan tourism; waste management and environmental amenity.

•We provide each new member with an environmental pack that outlines issues and provides “how to” information regarding waste disposal and adhere strictly to an environmental code of conduct.

Communication •The Motor Caravanner (bi-monthly) and features a wide range of interest articles and information relevant to motor caravaning. It is the largest motorcaravaning magazine published in New Zealand.

•The Travel Directory (annually) is a travel guide unequalled in NZ that lists accommodation, overnight sites, district bylaws/policies and facilities nationwide. The directory is updated in each issue of the Motor Caravanner.

•Our official web site, www.nzmca.org.nz has been restructured and also contains information relevant to waste management and environmental issues.

•The NZMCA operates its own motor vehicle insurance scheme with member benefits unequalled in the insurance fields.

ENDS

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