KAPITI COAST DISTRICT COUNCIL FREEDOM CAMPING POLICY 2010

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1 Council Policy Title: Policy Number: POL: Date Adopted: 2 December 2010 Active Date: 7 February 2011 INTRODUCTION KAPITI COAST DISTRICT COUNCIL FREEDOM CAMPING POLICY 2010 Policy Objective The objective of the Kapiti Coast Freedom Camping Policy is to better manage freedom camping on the Kapiti Coast. Improved management of this activity will help: ensure the quality of the freedom camping experience; reduce nuisance complaints; reduce damage or degradation of the environment; and reduce conflict with local residents and commercial interests. In achieving this objective, the Freedom Camping Policy acts as both a regulatory and informational tool that will help ensure visitors and locals have a clear understanding of where freedom camping is permitted, the conditions for doing so, and the services/facilities available to make it happen successfully. Policy Purpose This Policy provides guidance information, definitions, terms and conditions to manage Freedom Camping in the Kapiti Coast District and gives effect to section 20.3 of the Public Places Bylaw Policy Validation The Kapiti Coast District Freedom Camping Policy 2010 was approved at a meeting of the Kapiti Coast District Council Environment and Community Development Committee held on 2 December 2010 after completion of a public consultation process. This Policy has been made pursuant to section 13 of the General Bylaw Interpretation In this Policy, unless the context requires otherwise: Page 1 of 10

2 Authorised Officer Freedom Camping Inconsiderate Parking Non Self Contained Freedom Campers Public Place Self Contained Campervan The Council means any person authorised by the Council to carry out any of the duties provided for under this Policy and includes any Council Enforcement Officer 1. means camping in a Council approved public place for a specified period of hours or days and subject to conditions listed in the Freedom Camping Policy. means overnight camping in a vehicle on a public road or car park in contravention of the Kapiti Coast District Council Public Places Bylaw 2010 and Freedom Camping Policy means freedom campers who require access to public toilet and waste disposal facilities. means an area that is open to or used by the public, which is under the control of the Council, and includes but is not limited to: roads, streets, footpaths, car parks, alleys, pedestrian malls, cycle tracks, lanes, access ways, bridle way paths, thoroughfares, squares, reserves, parks, pools, community halls, cemeteries, beaches, and recreational grounds. means a motor caravan with the ability to meet the ablutionary and sanitary needs of the occupants of the motor caravan or caravan for a minimum of three days without requiring any external services or discharging any waste, and complies with New Zealand Standard 5465:2001. means the Kapiti Coast District Council or any committee, community board, or an enforcement officer authorised to exercise the authority of the Council. CAMPING FACILITIES ON THE KAPITI COAST The Kapiti Coast District has a range of well maintained commercial campgrounds that cater to most camping interests and budgets throughout the year. For a safe and enjoyable camping experience the Kapiti Coast District Council recommends campers use these facilities and book ahead (over the summer months) so that they can reserve a site for the duration of their stay. At the present time the Council provides some sites for freedom camping (refer Schedule 1, Appendix 1 of this Policy) but for self contained campervans only. Non Self Contained Freedom Campers must either use commercial facilities or the Department of Conservation facility at Otaki Forks. 1 See the Kapiti Coast District Council General Bylaw 2010 for the definition of Enforcement Officer. Page 2 of 10

3 For details on campground facilities on the Kapiti Coast visit one of the Kapiti Coast s i SITE visitor information centres 2 or collect a copy of the Kapiti Coast District Freedom Camping Brochure from any Council service centre. CONDITIONS FOR FREEDOM CAMPING Every person freedom camping in the Kapiti Coast District must abide by the following additional conditions: Only self contained campervans can freedom camp in Schedule 1 locations. Every person freedom camping in the Kapiti Coast District must abide by all Kapiti Coast District Council Bylaws and any conditions of use for a public place stipulated on any Kapiti Coast District Council signage. If not specifically mentioned otherwise in this Policy or on any Council signage, the maximum time that any freedom camper can continuously freedom camp is two nights. Freedom Camping for longer than two nights will require written permission from the Council. Freedom campers must remove all rubbish, solid and liquid waste from the freedom camping site. Rubbish, solid and liquid waste must be disposed of at approved rubbish transfer sites and dump stations (see Appendix 2 for details on their location). At the request of an Authorised Officer any person freedom camping must produce evidence of their self contained campervans waste storage capacity or permit the Authorised Officer to inspect the said vehicle. Barbeques and small open air camp fires 3 can only be lit in Council approved public areas (See Appendix 3 of this Policy for further details). Consider the environment at all times. No person shall damage, deface, disturb or remove public and private property or local flora and fauna. 2 The Kapiti Coast currently has two i SITEs one at Coastlands, Paraparaumu, and the other at SH1, Otaki. 3 Open Air Camp Fires can only be lit in specified areas and subject to a Council Fire Permit being obtained. Page 3 of 10

4 In residential areas where freedom camping is permitted, freedom campers must ensure their vehicles and camping activities do not encroach into other parking spaces or public access ways. Consider local residents. Every person must keep language and noise to a tasteful and reasonable standard and volume, and tidy up when they leave. Any person who fails to abide by the conditions of this Policy must immediately vacate the freedom camping site at the request of an Authorised Officer. A failure to abide by with any of the above conditions constitutes a breach of the Freedom Camping Policy and depending on the nature of the breach offenders could be subject to one or more of the actions outlined in the Monitoring and Enforcement section of this Policy. GUIDELINES To help ensure freedom camping is retained as an activity into the future, and your freedom camping experience is a safe and enjoyable one, the following guidelines are recommended: Stop in at any local i SITE or Kapiti Coast District Council Service Centre and pick up a Freedom Camping Brochure. This Brochure has details on common bylaw and camping rules, maps indicating freedom camping sites and local amenities. Purchase a Kapiti Coast District Council Rubbish Bag from any supermarket, Council Service Centre or i SITE in the District. Collect your rubbish in these bags and deposit them at the nearest Council waste transfer station. Empty your solid and liquid waste at approved dump stations before and after your freedom camping stay. This will ensure you can freedom camp for the maximum of two days in any one location and will also ensure you have a fresh start when moving out of the District. REGISTRATION The Council reserves the right to introduce a registration or permit system at any time in the future to collect details or recover any costs associated with managing, maintaining or improving access or facilities for freedom campers. SIGNAGE Page 4 of 10

5 Freedom camping is only permitted in locations listed in Schedule 1 of this Policy that have been signposted for such purposes. The Council may introduce no camping signage at its discretion. However, any public place not listed in Schedule 1 of this Policy is by default a no camping area. MONITORING AND ENFORCEMENT The Council will monitor freedom camping in public places regularly to ensure that freedom campers are complying with their conditions of use and that no unauthorised freedom camping is occurring in public places. The Council reserves the right to ban any person or vehicle from freedom camping for non compliance issues. Subject to the Kapiti Coast District Council Public Places Bylaw 2010 the standard protocol for addressing non compliance is as follows. If a freedom camper does not comply with the conditions of this Policy or any conditions imposed by an Authorised Officer, the Council will, in the first instance: i. verbally notify the freedom camper of the issue; or ii. iii. iv. provide a written warning to the freedom camper identifying the issue(s) and required remedy; request that the freedom camper remove their vehicle and/or camping equipment; or issue an infringement notice; or if the problem persists, the Council will consider prosecution and/or: v. refuse the offending party any further opportunity to freedom camp in the District; or vi. impound any non compliant vehicle or property. PENALTY Non compliance with the conditions of this Policy is a breach of section 5.4 or 20.3 of the Kapiti Coast District Council Public Places Bylaw 2010 and any of its subsequent amendments. Depending on the location, nature or extent of any breach to the conditions of this Policy, non compliance could result in: Page 5 of 10

6 a request to move on; or a Parking Infringement Fine of $60 for Inconsiderate Parking under Schedule 2 Part 1 2(e) of the Land Transport Act 1962; or a Litter Infringement Fine of $400 under section 14 of the Litter Act 1979; or impoundment of any offending vehicle or associated camping equipment under section 164 of the Local Government Act ; or being liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding $20,000 under section 242 of the Local Government Act Impounded property will be returned in accordance with section 167 of the Local Government Act Page 6 of 10

7 APPENDIX ONE SCHEDULE 1 Table 1: Council Approved Freedom Camping Locations for Self Contained Campervans on Council Owned Land No. Location Freedom Camping Parking & Time Restrictions 1 North end of The Parade, Paekākāriki roadside car park. 2 Garden Rd/Matatua Rd car park, Raumati Beach Maximum parking for 3 freedom camping vehicles at any 3 Marine Parade, Paraparaumu Beach car park opposite 69 Marine Parade 4 Marine Parade, Paraparaumu Beach car park opposite 62 Marine Parade 5 Marine Parade, Paraparaumu Beach car park opposite 54 Marine Parade 6 Waikanae Park, Park Avenue, Waikanae 7 Waimea Road beach car park, Waikanae Beach. 8 Field Way, Waikanae Beach car park on north side of Waimeha Stream. 9 Field Way, Waikanae Beach car park opposite 106 Field Way. 10 Te Horo Beach Reserve in the vicinity of the toilet block 11 Sims Road, Te Horo beach reserve north of car park 12 North Bank, Ōtaki River, Ōtaki Beach 13 Tasman Road beach car park, Ōtaki Beach Maximum parking for 1 freedom camping vehicle at any Maximum parking for 3 freedom camping vehicles at any one time. Maximum 48 hour time limit for each vehicle. Maximum parking for 4 freedom camping vehicles at any one time. Maximum 48 hour time limit for each vehicle. Maximum parking for 6 freedom camping vehicles at any one time. Maximum 48 hour time limit for each vehicle. Maximum parking for 4 freedom camping vehicles at any one time. Maximum 48 hour time limit for each vehicle. Page 7 of 10

8 Map1: Council Approved Freedom Camping Locations for Self Contained Campervans Page 8 of 10

9 APPENDIX 2 Table 2: Waste Dump Stations in the Kapiti Coast District Location Outside Refuse Transfer Site 1 Riverbank Road, Otaki Byron s Resort, Ōtaki Beach El Rancho, Waikanae Christian Holiday Park, Kauri Road, Waikanae Lindale Motor Park, SH1, Paraparaumu Mobil Service Station, 22 Amohia Street, SH1, Paraparaumu Paekākāriki Holiday Park, 180 Wellington Road, Paekakariki Table 3: Rubbish Transfer Sites. Location Otaihanga Waste Recovery Centre 220 Otaihanga Road, Otaihanga Ph: (04) Waikanae Greenwaste & Recycling Centre 50 Park Avenue, Waikanae Hours of Operation Please contact the Council for the latest up date on opening hours phone or FREECALL Otaki Refuse Transfer Station 1 Riverbank Road, Otaki Ph: (06) Page 9 of 10

10 APPENDIX 3 OPEN AIR FIRES Key Rules Barbeques do not require a fire permit as long as they are lit in authorised barbeque areas (look for signposted barbeque zones) or in permitted beach fire areas call the Kapiti Coast District Council Compliance, Monitoring & Enforcement Team (ph: ) for a map of where you can light a fire on the beach All open air fires must be under the supervision of the permit holder at all times. The permit holder is also responsible for the orderly conduct of guests. All open air fires must be lit below the high tide mark and 20 metres from the base of any dune. Open air fires can be no greater than 1 meter in diameter. All fires are to be fully extinguished with water before permit holder leaves the site. No fires after 10pm or before daylight. All un burnt residual material including glass and rubbish must be removed. The burning of plastics, household wastes, rubber, wood containing nails or attached metal, oil and copper chrome arsenic treated timber is prohibited. No fires in windy conditions or when a fire ban is in place. The fire shall be immediately extinguished at the request of Council Enforcement Officer, Rural Fire Officer, member of Police or Fire Service. Page 10 of 10