Editorial: No free holiday in vans

Tauranga City Council decided to ban freedom campers between December 1st and February 8 but allowed them to camp for two nights the rest of the year.

I love a bargain, but it irks me when people want something for free at a cost to others.

Tauranga has to balance the rights of residents with freedom campers. The Bay is an appealing destination and the tourist dollar is key to our local economy.

Holidaying in a motorhome is popular, reported Ellen Irvine in the Bay of Plenty Times Weekend, one local rental company experiencing double the demand of last year.

If motorhomes park for free, local campsites and holiday parks do not benefit from this potentially lucrative sector.

Ellen Irvine's report compared the cost of a week's holiday in a four-berth motorhome in three popular holiday spots - Ohope, Whangamata and Cooks Beach. A week's campsite costs ranged between $500 and $700.

Given this, you can understand why motorhome owners want to park for free on the Bay's prime beachfront road, Marine Parade.

Not only are they in a prime spot across from the beach and near other facilities, they are saving.

The Tauranga City Council decided recently to ban freedom campers from December 1 to February 8, but allow them to stay for up to two nights for the other 10 months of the year on the eastern part of Marine Parade. Residents and Councillor David Stewart want a permanent ban in the entire area.

I agree. We should support local campsite owners. Motorhomes use valuable parks that other Mount visitors need - people who are potentially going to spend in local cafes, shops and restaurants.

There are holidaymakers who rent expensive apartments and houses in the area. Ellen Irvine reported that they could be paying up to $800 a night in the peak period. Why should they look out their front door to rows of motorhomes in angle parks that are not paying?

Cr Stewart estimates some 500 residents face the prospect of living next to motorhomes when the residents have invested hard-earned money into property in this prestigious street, and pay rates. If campers want the benefits of being in the heart of the Mount, they should pay for this privilege. If they can afford to own a motorhome or rent one out, they can afford to fork out for the campsite fees.

Freedom camping should be banned completely in residential areas - no such thing as a free holiday.