This petition is no longer valid as the bylaw has been passed - please sign this one:

https://www.change.org/savebeaconpoint

We call on Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) to rethink the proposed Freedom Camping Bylaw.

Why we oppose it:

• Environmental harm – Beacon Point Road, Camphill Road and other proposed sites are wetlands, lakefronts, and community spaces that must be protected.
• Water risks – Camping near Lake Wānaka and the Hāwea and Clutha Rivers risks waste and rubbish polluting our clean water.
• Safety issues – Narrow roads, farming access, and high foot/cycle traffic make these areas unsafe.
• Community loss – Locals use these spaces daily for swimming, biking, running, and walking dogs. Freedom camping would destroy that enjoyment.
• Weak enforcement – Past experience shows litter, toileting in bushes, washing in waterways, and disregard for rules.
• Residential impact – Freedom camping should not be permitted in residential areas where it disrupts privacy, safety, and community use.

We’re not against freedom camping. But it must be in appropriate, well-managed sites with toilets, rubbish disposal, signage, and strict enforcement — not on narrow rural roads or in sensitive residential or lakefront areas.

Our demand:

• Withdraw unsuitable sites from the bylaw.
• Reassess locations with proper site-specific evaluations.
• Reopen genuine community consultation before any decision is made.

Sign this petition to protect our lake, our community, and our environment.