Kiwi camps will continue operating in one of New Zealand's most desirable holiday locations, as the result of an extensive community consultation process, Queenstown Lakes District Council Mayor Clive Geddes said.

"We began with a draft strategy, we held public meetings, we called for submissions and we held a hearing and we got a strong message. The result is a strategy that reflects the wishes of our community, that the Council should protect and provide kiwi-style camps," Mr Geddes said.

The Queenstown Lakes District Council voted on Friday to adopt the recommendation of the Motor Parks Strategy hearing panel.

"In simple terms each of the camp grounds (Frankton, Arrowtown, Wanaka, Hawea Luggate and Glendhu Bay) will be considered on a case by case business basis, rather than a blanket strategy. When the various existing leases expire then the camps will revert back to the Council to be run either 'in house', as we do with the Queenstown Motor Park. In other words the community is taking back the ownership of these camps," Mr Geddes said.

Nearly all submitters to the strategy had seen a need for the Council to provide kiwi-style camps.

"This strategy picks up on that and provides an overriding structure within which the Council has the ability to determine the best way forward, as each of the camp ground leases expire."

As an obvious priority, Arrowtown, which was currently being leased on a month by month basis, would be the first camp ground to be developed in line with the strategy.

"A business case will be developed for the camp ground and recreation grounds redevelopment, including a master plan for the camp?s layout. The Council is committed to ensuring that the Arrowtown Camp will continue to operate over the summer on a business as usual basis," Mr Geddes said.

Other matters contained in the adopted strategy include:

• After the Frankton Camp Ground lease expires in 2018 it will be redeveloped into a 'kiwi camp'.
• Caravan storage will be conditionally allowed at camping grounds but only at designated storage areas (in some cases to be developed).
• All permanent caravans and structures will be removed at specified times.

"In most cases regular or permanent camp ground users can continue the long term enjoyment of the status quo until such time as existing leases expire. For example in the case of Frankton it's a 13 year period and for Glendhu Bay it's a five year period," Mr Geddes said.

As a courtesy, meetings with lessees were held today to advise individuals of the strategy, prior to its public release.

"I have no doubt that in some cases the lessees, cabin owners and regular users of the camps will need to think through their options and there will need to be a period of coming to terms with change but equally I can say that this Council is in no doubt that this strategy will take an accessible accommodation option for kiwis and overseas visitors alike into the future," Mr Geddes said.

The Council expressed its sincere thanks to the hearing panel and independent chairman John Matthews.

"We now have a strategy which gives this community strategic direction, certainty and guaranteed future access to some of the most desirable parcels of land in our district," Mr Geddes said.

ENDS

For further information please contact Clive Geddes 03 441 0499

By: Tamah