Nelson Weekly Locally Owned and Operated
tuesday 7 February 2017
wine and food fest back
page 4
Swim meet at nayland page 26
Page 16-17
Freedom camper bylaw Council to discuss bylaw after blow back from residents over campers Andrew Board Editor
andrew@nelsonweekly.co.nz
A freedom camping bylaw will be discussed at the Nelson City Council’s first full meeting next month after backlash at the way the issue was handled this sum-
mer. The bylaw would mean that unless the vehicle is self-contained, like a campervan, freedom campers would be forced to stay overnight at a motor camp. Most of the vans that freedom campers drive are not self-contained.
The number of freedom campers in the region has been a cause of concern for many locals this summer and many have taken to social media to comment on where they sleep and the rubbish left behind. After the Kaikoura earthquake in November, the council sent a
ers areas, which included toilets, WiFi and other amenities. These areas at Atkerson St at Port Nelson, Haven Rd near Anzac Park and Paru Paru Rd near the Trafalgar Centre saw more than 3500 campers stay in them from
request to central government to allow an urgent freedom camping bylaw to help cope with the expected influx of tourists no longer able to use State Highway 1 down the east coast. The request was declined, so the council agreed to spend $80,000 to create three freedom camp-
SEE PAGE 2
Locals join in busker fun Jessie Johnston It wasn’t just street performers from around the world who had people in stitches at the Nelson Buskers Festival over the weekend, a few locals got in on the act as well – even if they weren’t too keen. The festival sees performances not just on Nelson’s main street, which was held in conjunction with the Trafalgar St Market Day, but at Fairfield Park, Mapua Wharf and an adult-only cabaret at The Boathouse. This year’s acts included Alakazam ‘The Human Knot’ from the Australia, Biggest Little Circus from New Zealand, Kamikaze Fireflies from the USA, Mat Ricardo from the UK and Mighty Mike from Canada.
Hesitant at first, Andrea Dismont-Trott did a fantastic job after being pulled up on stage by Canadian street performer Mighty Mike, during the Nelson Buskers Festival, on Trafalgar St on Saturday. Photo: Jessie Johnston.
SEE PAGE 2
Use your outdoor living areas all year round! Custom designed to suit your space Engineered for NZ conditions 99% UV protection in summer Warm & dry in winter Stylish & permanent Optional side curtains
NELSON
CALL PHIL & REBEKAH SCAIFE FOR A FREE CONSULTATION
Freephone 0800 759 952 | E ptscaifebuilding@gmail.com | www.archgola.co.nz Additional copies $1
100% locAlly owned And operAted
15 month
INTERES
Normal le nding
s
T FREE
criteria ap ply
www.nelsonlive.co.nz