Agenda of Te Whakaminenga o Kapiti - Tuesday, 3 December 2024


RĀRANGI TAKE AGENDA Te Whakaminenga o Kapiti Tuesday, 3 December 2024
I hereby give notice that a Te Whakaminenga o Kapiti meeting will be held on:
Date:	Tuesday, 3 December 2024
Time:	9.30am
Location:	Council Chamber Ground Floor, 175 Rimu Road Paraparaumu
Hara Adams Group Manager Iwi Partnerships

Te Whakaminenga o Kapiti Agenda

3 December 2024

5 Te Whakaū i ngā Āmiki | Confirmation of Minutes

5.1 Confirmation of Minutes

Author: Evan Dubisky, Advisor Governance

Authoriser: Hara Adams, Group Manager Iwi Partnerships

Taunakitanga | Recommendations

That the minutes of the hui of Te Whakaminenga o Kapiti of 22 Whiringa-ā-nuku 2024 (22 October 2024) be accepted as a true and correct record.

Ngā āpitihanga | Attachments

1. Minutes of Te Whakaminenga o Kapiti of 22 Whiringa-ā-nuku 2024 (22 October 2024) ⇩

Te Whakaminenga o Kapiti Agenda

3 December 2024

6 Pūrongo | Reports

6.1 Update on Freedom Camping Policy 2012 Review

Kaituhi | Author: Lesley Olsson, Policy Advisor

Kaiwhakamana | Authoriser: Kris Pervan, Group Manager Strategy & Growth

Te pūtake | Purpose

1 To provide an update on the Freedom Camping Policy 2012 review including the need for a bylaw, process around identification of proposed restricted and prohibited sites/areas, implementation measures and tourism links.

Taunakitanga | RECOMMENDATIONS

That Te Whakaminenga o Kapiti:

A. Note progress on the review and the process undertaken to identify proposed restricted and prohibited sites and their conditions as well as the overall approach with its benefits and impacts.

B. Note iwi engagement is ongoing on the review through our Iwi Partnerships team with further opportunity for input and feedback as the review progresses.

Tūāpapa | Background

2 The review of the Freedom Camping Policy 2012 is scheduled as part of our Policy Work Programme 2021-24. The review coincides with government changes to rules regulating freedom camping and the district experiencing increasing levels of activity, pressures and impacts.

3 Following initial evidence gathering and analysis we held a Council workshop on the drivers, issues and opportunities for freedom camping in the district on 25 June 2024, covering the four areas of:

3.1 Opportunities to support tourism

3.2 Impacts of increasing activity

3.3 Compliance and enforcement challenges and opportunities

3.4 Assessing sites under the Freedom Camping Act 2011

4 A further Council briefing was held on 15 October 2024 exploring the merits of a bylaw to manage freedom camping over the existing policy approach.

5 The most recent Council briefing on 26 November 2024 discussed outcomes from the site assessment process. This included proposed restrictions and prohibitions on freedom camping activity, supporting implementation measures, and links to support tourism.

He take | issues

6 The attached presentation supported discussion at the Council workshop on 26 November, and highlights the elements of the review including:

6.1 The need for a bylaw

6.2 Site assessment criteria and analysis

6.3 Shifts in the proposed approach to freedom camping

6.4 Summary of site prohibitions, restrictions and conditions

6.5 Summary of roadside and town centre prohibitions, restrictions and conditions

6.6 Implementation tools for sites

6.7 Tourism link priorities

Ngā kōwhiringa | Options

7 The paper provides an update of recent discussions, and no options are considered. Options will be presented as part of the Statement of Proposal for Council to consider for public consultation early in the new year.

Mana Whenua

8 We have been engaging with our iwi partners Te Rūnanga O Toa Rangātira, Ngā Hapū o Ōtaki and Āti Awa ki Whakarongotai Charitable Trust through our Iwi Partnerships team throughout the process including most recently with regards to specific proposed restricted and prohibited sites. There is ongoing engagement as we progress with the review including opportunity to comment on the proposed approach as part of public consultation due early in the new year.

9 Ngā Hapū o Ōtaki identified concern over the impact of freedom camping on the Ōtaki River foreshore area early in the review process. This has informed the processes assessing sites and measures to help manage impacts experienced in the area in the short-term.

ngā Mahi panuku | next steps

10 We currently plan to seek Council approval to consult in mid-February 2025 with consultation subsequently planned from late February to late March 2025.

11 We will then analyse submissions and hold hearings and propose any required changes before seeking approval to adopt by mid-2025.

12 Implementation of a bylaw will be actioned to ensure everything is in place by the summer of 2025/26.

Ngā āpitihanga | Attachments

1. Freedom Camping Policy 2012 review - need for bylaw, site assessments, implementation and tourism links ⇩