Information sessions for proposed Freedom Camping Bylaw

People interested in Christchurch City Council's proposed Freedom Camping Bylaw have two opportunities to attend public information sessions about it before the consultation closes on 21 September.

Public drop-in sessions will be held as follows:

* Peterborough Library on Saturday, 5 September, from 12.30pm to 2pm
* Beach Café, 16 Beach Road, New Brighton on Saturday, 12 September, from9.30am to 11am.

The proposed bylaw details areas where freedom camping would be prohibited, or restricted, available for limited periods of time, and areas where there are no restrictions.

Consultation booklets including the full proposed bylaw, maps and submissions forms are available at all Council libraries, service centres, the Civic Offices and online at www.govt.nz/haveyoursay

Other drop-in sessions have already been held on Banks Peninsula and have resulted in a significant level of interest already.

Acting Strategic Policy Unit Manager Claire Bryant says the Council is keen to give people as much information as possible on the proposed bylaw.

"This proposal is about providing an opportunity to balance the needs of communities, our visitors and our environment. We hope that people will come along to our drop-in sessions and have a chat to staff about the proposed bylaw," Ms Bryant says.

"We are more than happy to go over the consultation document and maps with people so they have the information they need to make a submission," she says.

A hearings panel will review submissions and this is likely to be during October 2015. People can choose to discuss their submission with the hearings panel in person or via videolink.

ENDS

© Scoop Media