Wanaka resident's plea for tourism levy

A Wanaka farmer who says freedom campers are destroying the area around Roys Peak says a tourist levy is still needed to permanently deal with the problem.

Minister for Tourism Paula Bennett announced a $178 million tourism infrastructure package yesterday.

It will provide funding over four years in partnerships with local councils and other community organisations.

John Levy owns the property beside the Roys Peak track on Mt Aspiring Rd and has had freedom campers defecate in his front paddock, rubbish blow on to his farm from the track and cars parked in his driveway.

"I still believe we need to tax tourism at the source.  Just as rates target users in a local municipality, the bed tax will do the same thing for tourism."

He said he did not understand the  Government's aversion to a tourist levy, as it was an accepted tax in many other countries.

"The beauty of a bed tax is it goes directly back to the community that is being impacted on by tourism. We don't know where the $102 million infrastructure is going to be spent and is it enough. How long is a piece of string?"