Camp licensed

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 525, 1 March 1994, Page 4

Camp licensed

• Regarding your article concerning licensing of Camp Grounds (22 February). The article, reporting on a council meeting, states that none of the camping areas in the Ruapehu District is licensed. This is incorrect. Ohakune Motor Camp, Raetihi Motor Camp, (and possibly Taumarunui) are operated under District Council leases which require that they operate as motor camps, this is per se, a licence for each of these camps. Ohakune Motor Camp, for one, has been inspected in the past to check that is is operating under the relevant regulations. Any charge for such inspection would be simply an extra rate not previously charged and not even suggested under the lease. It is interesting to note that environmental officer Sunny Feng agrees with my opinion that Department of Conservation camping grounds fall under the 1985 regulations - they are specifically included. There are some camp grounds which could be excluded such as those where there is no charge (for example Ruatiti Domain).

There is also provision in the act for remote camp sites to receive a council exemption. Mangawhero and Mahuia camp sites (which charge) do not qualify as remote in my opinion and have never received a council exemption. There are other accommodation houses in the district which charge for camping and which, I hope, will now be inspected to ensure that they fulfil the requirements which we have always had to under our licence.

Noel

Shepherd

Ohakune Motor Camp