Free camping sex should be on the table

Free camping is popular around New Zealand.

The Whangarei District Council recently parked up a proposed by-law for freedom camping.

When they revisit it, they may want to put sex on the table.

Controlling rubbish and toilet habits are both good reasons for by-law guidelines for campers.

Waiomiowoman Venus Wati has raised a point that suggests free campers' sex habits should be regulated as well.

Ms Wati commented on the Northern Advocate Facebook page yesterday that she had interrupted an amorous couple parked up in a camper van at Waiomio.

Ms Wati's incredulous eyes weren't the only thing wide open.

"I blasted a Euro couple in the freedom camper for having sex down by the bridge, curtains and windows wide open!

"Glad no families were driving by at that time ... so disrespectful!"

Ms Wati says she "gave them the fright of their lives and told them to GET!".

The WDC has recently opted to park up a by-law regulating freedom camping.

It would have tightened up the existing rules which allow for "free camping" pretty much anywhere for up to three days.

The new by-law proposed included only allowing campervans with onboard ablutions to free camp.

But councillors decided they did not want to proceed after feedback suggested an outright ban on "uncontained" campers was over the top.

So what next?

Clearly, all free campers cannot be lumped into the same boat.

Those that travel with onboard toilets are a little different to those who don't.

And they probably don't want to wake up next to each other either.

Surely though, there must be some best practice out there somewhere.

As long as thousands of ratepayer dollars aren't spent touring around Europe on "fact finding" trips, perhaps the answer to our solution lies overseas, rather than from the confines of council chambers.