A new Central Otago District Council draft bylaw would ban camping and introduce on-leash requirements for dogs on council reserves and parks, but staff acknowledge some clauses may clash with existing rules.

The proposed Parks and Reserves Bylaw is the first of its kind for the district and aims to guide how council parks and reserves are used and protected. 

It outlines restrictions on activities such as lighting fires, setting off fireworks, bringing animals onto the public spaces, playing sports without approval, and operating vehicles or aircraft, alongside provisions for camping and dog control.

Under the draft, dogs would need to be kept on a leash in all parks and reserves unless an area is specifically designated as off-leash.

However, the council’s existing Dog Control Bylaw allows dogs to be off-leash in public places provided they are “under control”, meaning they can be recalled instantly and do not cause nuisance or danger.

CODC parks and recreation manager Gordon Bailey said the Dog Control Bylaw would take precedence and confirmed the draft “may need further clarification to ensure consistency”.

The draft bylaw also proposes a blanket prohibition on camping at parks and reserves unless the site has been clearly designated for overnight stays.

Councillors previously decided not to pursue a separate freedom camping bylaw, citing low complaint numbers.

Fifteen camping-related complaints were received over the 2023–24 summer and 13 the following year. 

Councillors instead directed staff to include camping rules within a future parks and to reserves bylaw.

Gordon said the new bylaw would give council the ability to take enforcement action when people ignore the rules.

He said it “will help limit behavioural issues that result in damage to council’s parks and reserves or cause a nuisance to other park users or create safety issues”.

He listed damaging plants, digging holes, erecting structures, and interfering with sports approved by the council as examples of problematic behaviour.

Public consultation is now open and submissions close tomorrow (Tuesday, November 18).

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