Beacon Point Rd residents have launched a petition to resist freedom camping in the area, saying the authorities have done a backflip.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council has listed 15 areas which allow freedom camping including three in Wānaka.
One of these areas is near the lake foreshore at Beacon Point.
The Save Clean New Zealand group, which was founded by residents in and around Beacon Point Rd, said the issue was not about opposing freedom camping, it was about getting it right and why the council had changed its mind.
A site assessment undertaken by the council in 2021 classified Beacon Point Rd as unacceptable for camping and saw very significant concerns for protection of the area.
Save Clean NZ wanted to know why this had changed.
Group member Andrea Beryl said locals and visitors used the area all the time.
A big concern was there were no bathrooms in the area and not all freedom campers had self-contained units.
“It’s a big worry for the natural environment,” she said.
The two other areas where freedom camping is allowed are the Allenby Pl carpark and Wānaka Recreation Centre carpark.
The bylaw also allows freedom camping on some of the district’s rural roads.
Save Clean NZ was working with other local groups concerned about the impact of freedom campers in the area before addressing the council.
“Past freedom camping sites in Wānaka have been blocked off by council because of human waste and rubbish left behind. Without doubt, Beacon Point Rd will have similar outcomes,” Ms Beryl said.
Save Clean NZ’s original petition opposed freedom camping in the region as a whole and urged the council to rethink its decision.
From December 1, freedom campers will be able to stay in the area under restriction.
She was confident the Beacon Point Rd site would be popular among freedom campers.
“Why would people choose to stay in a carpark when this view is on offer?”
She said there were plenty of camping grounds in the area — “Albert Town, Red Bridge and Glendu all have designated places with proper facilities and toilets.”
The 2021 assessment found very significant concerns for the protection of the natural values of the area including ecosystems, biodiversity, plants and wildlife including the risk of damage by fire.
It concluded the site was not acceptable for freedom camping.
“I don’t think whoever designed this Freedom Camping Bylaw actually came to the point of Beacon Point because the road is extremely narrow, it’s heavily used by people.”