‘Million dollar view’ campsite closed and blocked by bollards

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By Jonathan Leask, local democracy reporter

A popular camping spot with “million dollar views” in Mid Canterbury has been closed and blocked by bollards - infuriating locals.

Hakatere Huts is a coastal settlement at the Ashburton/Hakatere River mouth, which splits into two parts, upper and lower, based on the landscape's geographical divide.

Upper Hakatere had a camping area for about 60 years until the council closed it last year.

Wooden bollards were installed in February 2023 to block vehicle access and signpost it as a picnic area, while new picnic tables were installed. Camping is now restricted to Lower Hakatere.

Hakatere Hut representatives said it caught the residents by surprise as there had been no consultation.

Residents Gary Clancy, TJ Jonker, and Fritha Tagg are leading a campaign to bring back the campground, or at least get rid of the bollards.

“It was so easy to put them in, it would be so easy to take them out.”

The bollards don’t fit with the aesthetic of the site and are more suitable “in a farmyard or a prison”, Yonker said.

The council explained it was an operational decision in response to complaints, safety concerns, and wanting camping at the settlement to be self-funding.

Council business support group manager Leanne Macdonald said it had been discussed with hut residents last year.

The campground caretaker left and they were unable to fill the role so they needed "to limit where campers camp to keep maintenance and cleaning work down”, she said.

“When we met with the residents, we clarified that the minimal income received from people camping in this area did not cover the cost of a caretaker, and any cleaning or maintenance is primarily funded by the general ratepayer.”

However, Clancy said he didn't believe the suggestion it needed to be self-funding was a credible argument, based on other reserves, camping and picnic areas he looked at in the district.

Coastal erosion was also cited as a factor in the decision, but a setback fence was installed in 2017 to stop heavy vehicles from parking near the cliffs, Clancy said.

“There are plenty of examples of places where there is no overnight camping but you can picnic and people can park their vehicles on the grass without bollards, so why not here?” Clancy said.

“[Visitors] came here for the million dollar view. You never see anybody here now.”

Tagg said the bollards, parking, and undulating terrain also made it hard for the elderly and those with mobility issues to use the picnic tables.

“There were lots of people that would come for a picnic, cup of tea or sit for a while and soak in the view but they can’t do it now.

“The bollards prevent anyone from parking close."

Jonker said there was no signage to let visitors know of the change.

In response, McDonald said each area in the district was treated uniquely with its own appropriate solution.

“The bollards were primarily installed to discourage camping and direct campers to the lower level.

“We also hoped to create a picnic area that encouraged day visitors to enjoy the picnic area and the views on the upper level.

“People can, and still do park at the site."

The bollards make the picnic area a safe space for families with children, she said.

Additional signage to direct campers to Lower Hakatere would be considered, McDonald said.

The residents plan to present a petition to the council and submit to the long-term plan, calling for the campground's reinstatement, or at least the removal of the bollards.

The long-term plan is proposing to replace the old toilets at Lower Hakatere with a $240,000 new toilet block.

“Since we are encouraging campers to use lower Hakatere campsite, we are proposing to replace the existing septic tank toilets with new dry vault facilities nearer to the camping area, and away from the eroding coastline,” McDonald said.

The old changing shed was slated for demolition, but after discussion with the residents, it is set to be repurposed as a shelter, she said.