(Video first published on September 24, 2020)The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment says “stop gap” efforts to clean up freedom camping have not worked, and it’s time to tighten the rules. A report on sustainable tourism released on Thursday by commissioner Simon Upton describes freedom camping as one of the “most visibly contentious” sectors of the tourism industry. Robyn Edie The Northern Southland township of Lumsden got $220,000 from the tourism infrastructure fund to install freedom camping facilities. To deter rule breakers, Upton favoured amending the Freedom Camping Act to require rental vehicle companies to help collect fines, something which has occurred voluntarily in a limited way. Tourism Minister Stuart Nash has already stated he wants vehicles with sleeping compartments but no self-contained toilets banned from freedom camping.

Source: Stuff February 18, 2021 01:01 UTC