Letters: Council considering freedom camping options

Campers at Hamurana opposite Turner Rd. PHOTO/FILE

In response to your correspondent Roger Wootton's concerns regarding freedom camping (Letters, January 19), Rotorua Lakes Council is aware of the increasing incidence of freedom camping in recent years and staff are assessing the prevalence throughout the district and the impacts -positive or negative - of this.

Council has been patrolling Hamurana Reserve, telling campers to move on and providing them with information about where they can camp. Some were unaware it was not a camping area. Extra 'no camping' signs are being erected at the reserve and the second toilet block is being opened during the busier weekends for the remainder of the summer.

Council is meeting with local community groups to explore ways they could be involved in managing freedom camping, such as what currently occurs at Boyes Beach, Okareka. The Lake Okareka Community Association manages the camping area on behalf of the council and generates revenue to put back into reserve improvements.

There is no bylaw currently in place so we cannot issue infringement notices but we are considering all options and will be reporting to council in the future with recommendations for managing freedom camping in the Rotorua district. As part of the work we are doing we are looking at what other councils do and keeping an eye on a national review of the Freedom Camping Act and council bylaws as the outcome of that may impact on our options.

ROB PITKETHLEY
Rotorua Lakes Council Sport and Recreation Manager.

I agree with Tom Hayes (Letters, January 21) that the best fix for the Te Ngae roundabout would be a flyover similar to the one near Bayfair at Mt Maunganui, or the proposed new one for the roundabout at Bayfair itself.

Is it being ruled out because NZTA won't fund it and are looking for a cheaper, short term fix? The proposed flyover at Bayfair would cost the NZTA nearly $100 million as opposed to traffic lights at $40 million. However the NZTA manager said that the option of traffic lights at Bayfair did not provide the long term improvements to congestion and safety required.

I don't think a larger roundabout at Te Ngae would fix the congestion problem either, better to bite the bullet and do it properly now. It will only cost more if left for some time in the future.

CHARLIE MARTELLI
Rotorua