They having troubles with free campers in NZ

Yes well, it's probably been motivated by the behavior of some individuals who think it's OK to dump their sewerage (or take a dump) beside the roads and at camp sites. $10,000 sounds about right for that!

It could happen here.

There is a place between Tarago and Nelligen called Sandy Point. The area just behind where people pitch their tents and park their vans is a disgrace. Its putrid and inundated with white paper everywhere. Don't even try walking there with anything but a full space suit. We won't be going back there. Right on the Shoalhaven River too. I wonder what the water is like downstream!!!

And this is exactly why we carry our own portable toilet (Thetford) in the car and only empty it either back at home or where approved to do so. And we don't mind paying to do so. Its so easy for the weather, rain or animals to uncover what you have "dumped".

Phil

Having recently returned from a week motor homing around the south island, I noticed that there are distinct differences in the camping style. It’s a lot more compact and the terrain (and often the climate) in much of the south island does not allow easy vehicle access. There simply aren’t the vast distances and wide open vistas that we have in the outback here. As a result, there are fewer opportunities to pull over to the side of the road and camp as we do here. What sites there are, if they are unmanaged, tend to see a lot of use, particularly from the modern day backpackers in their wicked campers etc. The higher end self contained motor homes reduce impact on the amenity of an area where as your free campers are doing just that, using the bush with little thought to removing their paper/rubbish.

Despite it being far to easy to be funnelled into caravan parks, we found many great spots to set up the camper. Many are managed by National Parks body and charge six bucks a night or thereabouts. These sites provide toilets and rudimentary facilities so are usually very well maintained. It’s always funny to see the wicked campers getting up before dawn to get out before the rangers arrive and escape paying their $6.

I think a bit of regulation it would be a good thing and may help to control those doing the wrong thing.

Cheers Mick

This is a bit like Axles Alcohol post - the base being lack of consideration of others.

I would see the laws as another negative reaction, likely to make the nett overall situation worse, but giving an appearance of "We have done something".

Fortunately NZ has a long to go before reaching Australias level of over-regulation.

Just addressing the key point, that of waste.

Only one solution will work and that is to provide more very basic facilites more affordably.
This solution has to be provided for the whole problem.
i.e. if biodegradeable paper was cheaper than normal - which do you think would be brought ?

I don't know the figures but the note says campers have doubled - my money
would be on the fact that spaces to stop haven't doubled.

On the same website:


Petrol Price Drop

Why isn't that happening this side of the Tasman??

I thought it was illegal to camp anywhere in NZ outside of a caravan park without full self containment (including a grey water tank) and that this was 'policed'. In 2006 when in Tasmania we camped near New Zealanders who were spending a couple of years touring Australia with a lovely Roadstar caravan. They planned to sell it in Australia (and did) when finished travelling, as it would be no use to them in NZ without a grey water tank fitted.

Motherhen