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46 124 Hospitality New Zealand Southland Branch SUBMISSION ON PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE FREEDOM CAMPING BYLAW LUMSDEN 08 th August 2017 Hospitality NZ is a voluntary trade association which has operated since 1902 and currently represents over 3,000 hospitality businesses throughout New Zealand, including Taverns, Pubs, Bars, Restaurants, Cafes, Retail Liquor and Commercial Accommodation providers such as Camping Grounds, Lodges, Motels, Hotels and Back Packers. This submission is made on behalf of the Southland branch of Hospitality New Zealand. We appreciate the opportunity to make a submission on the proposed by law. We are committed to working with the Southland District Council in order to develop a practical and effective plan. CONTACT DETAILS: Hospitality New Zealand Southland Branch PO Box 618, Wanaka, Otago 9343 Phone: charlotte.simpson@hospitalitynz.org.nz Caution is urged Hospitality NZ does urge caution when Councils are considering bylaws and policies which affect the resident community and associated businesses. While we acknowledge that freedom campers do bring some benefits to host communities, they can and often bring unforeseen problems which can on occasion offset the few advantages gained. Benefits? What benefits do freedom campers bring to the community? While it is generally accepted that freedom campers do bring some benefits, it is very difficult to identify the value of those benefits with any certainty. While DIA and MBIE have undertaken some analysis of freedom camping and have identified the general spend by such tourists, the DIA report does carry this rider: Collectively, these figures demonstrate a substantial economy surrounding freedom camping, but the poor quality and consistency of the data available means that limited conclusions can be drawn as to actual regional spending behaviours. Source - Situational-Analysis.pdf We do note that in the Statement of Proposal the following comment is included; Council believes the amendment will protect the health and safety of people who may visit the area, as the location of the freedom camping sites will help ensure that proper toilets are used, and that rubbish is placed in nearby receptacles. 444

47 124 Council regularly receives complaints about camping on our parks, roads and reserves. Most complaints are about: Risks to public health from inappropriate disposal of human waste and solid waste Effects of camping on amenity Lack of understanding of the existing rules for camping in public places. While some problems and complaints have been recognised, we believe quite a few important issue have been overlooked, and therefore not addressed. Unless properly monitored and controlled, the provision of freedom camping within the community can bring unforeseen consequences. Additional Issues Number of self-contained and non self-contained vehicles: has any thought been given to the actual number of vehicles allowed in this area? The size of the camping area can lead to undesirable outcomes from overcrowding which is often exacerbated at peak times such as Christmas and New Year. It can also lead to campers incurring infringements and moving to other, possible restricted areas within the district. As the Council has not identified capacity as a concern, do the allocated areas carry sufficient capacity to meet the expected demand? Does the Council have plans in place to make further areas available during peak demand periods? How will this be monitored? Proximity to commercial accommodation: has any thought been given to the proximity of the proposed sights to commercial accommodation providers? Hospitality NZ does have serious concerns with areas listed in Appendix A and Appendix B which details where self-contained and non-self-contained camping is to be permitted. Specifically our concerns are around the proximity of permitted areas to existing accommodation providers and the impact this will have on these businesses and their livelihood. For example, Lumsden Motel is less than 100 metres from this area. The Lumsden Holiday Park is located at 10 Albion Street (again only a few hundred metres from the Railway Station), where prices start from $10 per night and include kitchen facilities, gas bbq, rubbish bins, toilets, showers etc. Source: If freedom camping was allowed in such close proximity to these existing business, non-compliant campers who do not have adequate facilities in their vehicles will likely attempt to make unapproved use of commercial facilities intended for the use of paying guests. This places an unreasonable burden on the owners of those businesses to police such usage. Additionally, we expect that similar public complaints will arise in areas where overnight camping is allowed in close proximity to residential accommodation. There are areas allocated in Appendix A and Appendix B that are directly opposite a number of private residences and we do not consider it appropriate that the Council is encouraging freedom camping in such areas. Rubbish: While continually stated that non-self-contained vehicles may only camp within 50 metres of public toilets has any thought gone in to rubbish bin facilities, collection and frequency of collection of rubbish or is human waste the only concern? Generally there is no rubbish collection over the weekend which leads to overflowing bins, this does little for our clean green image and is specifically what the public is complaining about. 445

48 124 Camper Van Parking: Lumsden has already experienced difficulties with large and extra-long campers not being able to park in a traditional parking space. Such campers then park across a number of spaces often with one such vehicle taking up space intended for four or more smaller vehicles. What plans does the Council have to contend with such issues? Infringement Notices: Will the Council enforce infringement notices should campers not be compliant with the restrictions and prohibitions contained within the Bylaw, supporting its overall objective of appropriate locations and types of camping. Would the Southland District Council employ additional staff to monitor the usage of the permitted areas, to move on campers who are non-compliant, and issue infringement notices? If the council allocated 2-3 parking officers about 3 days per week for a total of approximately 20 hours per week (1,000 hours per year), this would be a (rough) cost of at least $16,000 per year just for staff time and not accounting for associated vehicle costs etc. Other TLAs who do already take an infringement approach, find that for fines issued to foreign tourists using rental vehicles, the recovery rate is only about 50%. This is because not all campervan rental companies are working with the councils to achieve recovery of infringement notices issued. Signage: Signage is also an issue which needs serious consideration. The public would need to be fully aware of what is allowed, where and for what duration. Clear signage is extremely important and must not only list what is allowed but also list what penalties will be applied for non-compliance. We refer the Council to the situation which arose in 2016 whereby Christchurch City Council was required to amend its bylaw to completely ban freedom camping - Mayor Lianne Dalziel said the amendments were a good first step. "We were overwhelmed by numbers we hadn't anticipated, which is why we're in this situation we're in. But we're going to go through a full review process and that will enable us to go through all of the issues individually." Source: Conclusion and Specific Feedback: Hospitality NZ strongly urges Southland District Council to fully consider the implications of this proposed bylaw if it is implemented as currently written. We also ask that the Council consider an appropriate compliance regime to ensure all allowed camping areas are only used as intended. Hospitality NZ thanks the Southland District Council for the opportunity to submit on the proposed bylaw. We want to see a sensible and effective Freedom Camping Bylaw that reflects the Council s responsibilities to the community and to local businesses. 446

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66 129 signage, rubbish bins, toilet cleaning etc has been able to be estimated which is a positive outcome. Other comments & suggestions. 1. I suggest the erection of a couple of rotary clotheslines in a screened area, with signage, would encourage people to use them instead of putting their own string up between the trees. 2. Some simple guidelines regarding washing and hygiene could be provided and maybe a couple of simple booths could be erected so people have privacy for full body washing as there are not showers in the immediate vicinity. 3. A donation tin in the area with a suggested $5 donation/ person could be an added income source to provide simple amenities. 4. On the websites used to find out about Lumsden Freedom Camping facilities- list the amenities available in Lumsden, the donation, and any restrictions eg parking and tenting areas, showers and washing facilities at camping ground, clotheslines, 5. Bins for recycling and landfill. It is essential to have several clearly labelled. These people mostly come from Europe where recycling is an automatic action. They look for the bins and the labels so they can recycle as much as possible. Having the only depot for recycling a long way ( relatively) from the camping / parking sites is not encouraging them to act appropriately. Positive outcomes as I can ascertain for Lumsden and Northern Southland as the result of encouraging Freedom Campers to Lumsden 1. People now know where Lumsden is- and from the comments in the visitors book in the SDC library and on Facebook and other social media, it seems that people think this is a very hospitable and lovely town to visit. They love the people they meet, the excellent facilities here and how it is a stepping stone to so many other places- a hub- with daily excursions within driving distance to Fiordland, Queenstown, Invercargill, Catlins, Southern Coast and Gore- all with their own attractions. 2. Businesses. Even though Freedom Campers do not spend a lot of money each day because they have limited space in their vehicles, over a week those small amounts add up to a considerable amount for eg cafes, grocery outlets. They have to buy fresh food daily as most don t have a frig. Eg meat, milk and veg. Entertainment- they enjoy going to eg Lumsden Hotel to meet locals on weekend nights and to enjoy our social scene- spending money there. They go to the camping ground for showers and to do their washing- pay for these. Opportunity shop- St John- they go to buy various items but especially warm clothes! Several businesses have had to increase their staff- especially for later in the day when the Freedom campers arrive and also extend their opening hours. This has enabled more people to be employedespecially young people after school. 3. Life to the town. So many people coming to Lumsden for the positive experience has added vibrancy to the town- with others noticing and stopping to see what is going on instead of just passing through. The world is coming to Lumsden- with conversations between locals and visitors, bringing an international flavor, new perspectives many new languages as well as English which helps them communicate with locals. They love interacting with real NZers! 464

67 129 They can tell others about this great experience when they go home eg parents- who might come & stay at hotels/ motels as a result. 4. Quiet living people- generally. These visitors are mostly highly qualified people- doing their student OE experience. They are qualified university people. They are intelligent and care about the gift Lumsden is offering them. They respect the town and the people in it. They appreciate the generosity of the local people. They use good manners. 5. Security. The damage to the local toilets and railway memorabilia has been reduced I understand since they started coming because people who used to cause this vandalism would now be seen by the visitors- they are a deterrent. The centre of town is now safer and this is saving ratepayers money. 6. Role Models. These people are role models for our young people in particular as they can see how others travel the world and the possibilities for them in the future. 7. Generosity of locals. Some locals have taken them in to their hearts and even homes and done such things as given them rides to place when they have been stranded by a breakdown, or taken them for a farm experience. There is the potential for these needs to be met by setting up a small business- so bringing more employment benefits to locals. 8. Safety. The visitors fell safe here and tell others. This is a great affirmation for Lumsden and its people. In conclusion. I commend Lumsden CDA for taking this initiative and for creating this new way of being. I love hearing the good news about Lumsden because of this and hope it can continue. I enjoy the interactions which I have when I am in Lumsden- with such a wide variety of travelling people. This is just the kind of town I love to visit when I am travelling around the world. Kia Kaha. He iti, he pounamu. It may be small but it is very precious. He aha to mea nui? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata. What is the most important thing? It is people, it is people, it is people. Rangimarie, Jenny Campbell 465

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