‘Million dollar view’ campsite closed and blocked by bollards

A preferred tenting spot with “million greenback views” in Mid Canterbury has been closed and blocked by bollards – infuriating locals.

Hakatere Huts is a coastal settlement on the Ashburton/Hakatere River mouth, which splits into two components, higher and decrease, primarily based on the panorama’s geographical divide.

Higher Hakatere had a tenting space for round 60 years till the council closed it final 12 months.

Wood bollards have been put in in February 2023 to dam car entry and signpost it as a picnic space, whereas new picnic tables have been put in. Tenting is now restricted to Decrease Hakatere.

Hakatere Hut representatives mentioned it caught the residents unexpectedly as there had been no session.

Residents Gary Clancy, TJ Jonker, and Fritha Tagg are main a marketing campaign to carry again the campground, or a minimum of eliminate the bollards.

“It was really easy to place them in, it will be really easy to take them out.”

The bollards don’t match with the aesthetic of the location and are extra appropriate “in a farmyard or a jail”, Yonker mentioned.

The council defined it was an operational determination in response to complaints, security issues, and wanting tenting on the settlement to be self-funding.

Council enterprise help group supervisor Leanne Macdonald mentioned it had been mentioned with hut residents final 12 months.

The campground caretaker left they usually have been unable to fill the position in order that they wanted “to restrict the place campers camp to maintain upkeep and cleansing work down”, she mentioned.

“After we met with the residents, we clarified that the minimal revenue obtained from individuals tenting on this space didn’t cowl the price of a caretaker, and any cleansing or upkeep is primarily funded by the final ratepayer.”

Nonetheless, Clancy mentioned he did not consider the suggestion it wanted to be self-funding was a reputable argument, primarily based on  different reserves, tenting and picnic areas he checked out within the district.

Coastal erosion was additionally cited as an element within the determination, however a setback fence was put in in 2017 to cease heavy automobiles from parking close to the cliffs, Clancy mentioned.

“There are many examples of locations the place there isn’t any in a single day tenting however you’ll be able to picnic and folks can park their automobiles on the grass with out bollards, so why not right here?” Clancy mentioned.

“[Visitors] got here right here for the million greenback view. You by no means see anyone right here now.”

Tagg mentioned the bollards, parking, and undulating terrain additionally made it exhausting for the aged and people with mobility points to make use of the picnic tables.

“There have been numerous individuals that may come for a picnic, cup of tea or sit for some time and soak within the view however they will’t do it now.

“The bollards forestall anybody from parking shut.”

Jonker mentioned there was no signage on the entry to let guests know of the change.

In response, McDonald mentioned every space within the district was handled uniquely with its personal applicable resolution.

“The bollards have been primarily put in to discourage tenting and direct campers to the decrease degree.

“We additionally hoped to create a picnic space that inspired day guests to benefit from the picnic space and the views on the higher degree.

“Folks can, and nonetheless do park on the website.”

The bollards make the picnic space a protected house for households with youngsters, she mentioned.

Further signage to direct campers to Decrease Hakatere can be thought of, McDonald mentioned.

The residents plan to current a petition to the council and  undergo the long-term plan, calling for the campground’s reinstatement, or a minimum of the elimination of the bollards.

The long-term plan is proposing to interchange the outdated bathrooms at Decrease Hakatere with a $240,000 new rest room block.

“Since we’re encouraging campers to make use of decrease Hakatere campsite, we’re proposing to interchange the prevailing septic tank bathrooms with new dry vault amenities nearer to the tenting space, and away from the eroding shoreline,” McDonald mentioned.

The outdated altering shed was slated for demolition, however after dialogue with the residents, it’s set to be repurposed as a shelter, she mentioned.

By Jonathan Leask