Consultation on the proposed freedom camping locations in Birkenhead and Northcote opens on Tuesday and runs until 18 February.
Going completely against the Kaipātiki Local Board’s resolution (KT/2018/119), the Governing Body (Mayor and Councillors) are proposing three freedom camping sites within the Kaipātiki Local Board area (see below).
I’m particularly concerned about the Little Shoal Bay Reserve site at the carpark by the bowling club (northern carpark) because it regularly floods during king tides and storm events. I wouldn’t recommend anyone leave their vehicle in the carpark overnight, let alone sleep in them!
This could be a very dangerous situation, and the Governing Body should have listened to us and withdrawn this site from the proposed list instead of rubberstamping it.
In fact, they shouldn’t have approved any site that the Kaipātiki Local Board opposed, because local parks come under Local Board jurisdiction, and not Councillors’ jurisdiction!
You can watch their discussion (or lack of) here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lof45f7MDE0
The three sites proposed for Birkenhead and Northcote are:
- Little Shoal Bay Reserve: Up to 6 non-self-contained vehicles to be allowed in the carpark between Dudding Park Sportsfield and the bowling club (northern carpark) for up to 48 hours.
- Birkenhead War Memorial Reserve: Certified self-contained vehicles to be allowed overnight in the carpark at the Mahara Ave end of the park from the Leisure Centre to the BMX pump track.
- A F Thomas Park: Certified self-contained vehicles to be allowed overnight in the carpark off Northcote Road, opposite Onewa Domain.
Note: Camping is banned from all reserves under the Reserves Act 1977, so following the consultation period, the Governing Body will need to exercise its delegation from the Minister of Conservation to overturn this and allow freedom camping in any reserve (even where it not allowed for under the Reserve Management Plan).
Consultation runs from Tuesday 4 December until Monday 18 February.
Pictured: Flooding at the Little Shoal Bay Reserve northern carpark last weekend and earlier this year.
A map of the proposed location for freedom camping at Little Shoal Bay Reserve
Note: The above is my view and not necessarily that of the Kaipatiki Local Board.
