Freedom Camping educational trial begins for Summer 19/20

Tasman District Council has launched a trial Freedom Camping Ambassadors programme for the summer.

From Friday, 29 November, a team of Ambassadors are working throughout Golden Bay, Motueka and Richmond to promote responsible camping and helping to minimise negative impact from camping on the local community and the environment.

The majority of people want to do the right thing when they visit our region but the rules are different all over New Zealand so there is some confusion about where people can stay and for how long. By putting education before enforcement, Tasman District Council hopes to extend a welcome to our visitors while also encouraging more responsible camping.

The ambassadors will:

Advise campers about choosing appropriate sites and providing advice on the available low cost options.

Encourage them to respect local communities and traditions.

Provide other useful information, such as events, volunteer opportunities, emergency procedures, tips on responsible camping and other.

Liaise with locals (where possible) to paint a clearer picture about freedom camping and the ambassadors programme.

The trial programme will run until the end of February. It is funded by part of the $168,000 grant from the Ministry of Building, Industry and Employment responsible camping fund.

The grant will also be used to provide additional temporary toilets, signage and rubbish disposal.

Enforcement inspections will continue and fines can be issued to those who ignore the good advice of the Freedom Camping Ambassadors.

The smallest spark can cause a wildfire

Fires can and do start from the smallest spark - especially in rural and semi-rural areas during the summer.

In the past few years, we’ve increasingly seen how, if unchecked, wildfires can go on to devastate people, land and wildlife.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is encouraging people to go to their new and improved website to find out how to protect themselves, and our land, against potential wildfires.

If you’re considering lighting a fire outdoors, it will tell you how to do it safely, whether you need a permit, and direct you to their fire permit site to apply.

The website also provides advice on other spark generating activities like ploughing, mowing and grind- ing for those planning to work on the land.

Of particular importance as we head into summer, is the timely advice to rural and semi-rural people on how to protect their homes - before the fire season begins, by clearing anything that could burn away from the house - and creating safety zones to act as a barrier against fire. The new www. checkitsalright.nz is now live. Check it out.