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Freedom camping policy review
We’re reviewing our Freedom Camping Policy 2012. This review will enable recent changes to central government legislation to be reflected alongside other changes to help better manage freedom camping in our district.
Freedom camping (also known as responsible camping and sustainable camping) involves using a tent or motor vehicle to camp within 200 metres of a formed road or the beach. You can see a more precise definition in the Freedom Camping Act 2011, or see our website to find out more about Sustainable camping in Kāpiti.
Our policy
Our current Freedom Camping Policy aims to manage freedom camping on the Kapiti Coast to:
- ensure the quality of the freedom camping experience
- reduce noise complaints and damage or degradation of the environment
- reduce conflict with local residents and recreational uses
- ensure people’s health and safety.
We aim to achieve this through this policy by:
- encouraging responsible camping across our district
- designating sites where self-contained motor vehicles should park (with time restrictions).
The review will also consider the need and use of a bylaw under the Freedom Camping Act 2011 to help better manage and enforce freedom camping in our district.
Stages
We’re working through the following stages as we review our policy.
Stage one: Early engagement, evidence gathering and analysis (March-May 2024)
We’re gathering data and information from a range of sources to build a picture of freedom camping in our community. This includes:
- data from a camper survey we undertook in 2023
- our service request history
- site monitoring statistics
- tourist visitor data.
We’ll look at other related information, including plans and strategies, and best practice across Aotearoa New Zealand.
We’re engaging with mana whenua and our key stakeholders to gain multiple perspectives on freedom camping in our community, and not just on Council-owned land.
We’re also carrying out a stocktake of Council land with a freedom camping lens.
Stage 2: Draft options for consultation (June-August 2024)
Once we’ve finished our initial groundwork, we’ll identify issues and options as a part of proposed changes for public consultation, including the use of a bylaw.
Stage 3: Consultation and hearings (Sept-Oct 2024)
We’ll undertake one month of public consultation on proposed changes, followed by hearings for submitters who wish to be heard.
Stage 4: Proposed changes and adoption (November 2024)
Following public consultation and hearings we’ll analyse submissions and propose any further changes before seeking final adoption by Council.
Stage 5: Implementation (December 2024)
Our goal is to have the revised policy or new bylaw in place in time for summer 2024/25.