16 Sep 2014

Freedom camping bylaw upsets surfers

7:17 pm on 16 September 2014

A Taranaki resident says a proposed freedom-camping bylaw is unworkable and will put some of New Zealand's top-rated surf breaks at risk.

The South Taranaki District Council is proposing a three-vehicle limit for each freedom-camping site, and a stay of no longer than three consecutive nights.

Opunake resident Chris Luke said the surfbreak known as Stent Road attracts surfers from around the world and there had been problems with campers' behaviour in the past.

He said the area did not have the infrastructure to support camping, and he doubted it would be possible to police the proposed bylaw effectively.

Public submissions on the proposed bylaw close on 3 October.

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