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John Bisset/Stuff
Pictured is the Fisherman’s Bend Campground, Lake Aviemore.
More than three months after the Waimate District Council adopted new fees and charges for 2023-24, its parks and reserves manager has asked it to reconsider charges at Waimate Lakes.
WDC adopted the new fees and charges at a council meeting on March 21. They came into effect on July 1.
Alison Banks, in her 2022-2023 Waimate Lakes Camping season report tabled at an open workshop on July 4, said the activity “continues to run at a loss” with a slight increase of around $22,000 from the previous year.
“However, corporate and other costs will continue to be incurred over the remaining months, with no income coming in,” she said.
“Operations costs before depreciation and corporate costs, have been less than income generated for the past five years but once depreciation and corporate costs are added, shows a deficit, relying on the camping reserve to make up the difference.
“The reserve balance at 30 June 2022, is $536,417 and based on current figures will continue to drop.”
Banks noted that the camping reserve was funded by users, many returning year after year.
JOHN BISSET/Stuff
Pictured at Fisherman’s Bend Campground are David, Michel and Pete Wall, pictured in September 2022.
The $20 increase for the season ticket, which now costs $400, and the introduction of a family casual pass at $25 per family per night may need reconsideration, she said.
However, at the March meeting, corporate services assistant Helen Strachan said the cost of the season ticket “may be re-assessed” following consideration of Banks’ report.
Banks said the development of a Waimate Lakes Camping Asset Management Plan to “identify options and improvements to current infrastructure and improvements (including costs) for future infrastructure with sustainability” needs to be at the forefront moving forward.
Banks also proposed the method for distributing corporate costs to be reviewed as part of the next Long Term Plan process.
The season tickets sold during the 2022-2023 season numbered 574, a slight increase from 563 from the 2021-2022 season. Waitangi East and West continue to be popular camping sites.
Banks said of the 574 season tickets purchased, residents from the Waitaki district continue to be the “most popular” guests at 155 season tickets sold.
South Canterbury residents (not including Waimate District) come next at 141 tickets sold, Otago at 83, then Waimate at 73.
JOHN BISSET/Stuff
Pictured at Parsons Rock in September 2022 fishing is Matt Tait.
Canterbury represents 56 tickets, Central Otago at 13 tickets and Southland at six. The remaining 47 tickets were sold to people further away (such as Nelson, Kaikōura).
Based on these figures 87% of those purchasing season tickets came from outside the Waimate District.
JOHN BISSET/Stuff
Pictured at Fisherman’s Bend in September 2022 are Quinn Balcombe, 9, Erica 10 and Sophie Wall, 7, with dog Daisy.
The report said there was damage to council’s facilities and a number of break-ins of caravans throughout the season which started on September 17, 2022.
“Staff worked closely with the local police and two separate groups were arrested,” Banks in her report said.
“A number of items were returned to owners and the security cameras on the dams captured valuable footage.
“Council received very positive feedback throughout the … season, with the toilets always being in a clean condition … any issues were immediately addressed, and the camping supervisor was very friendly and approachable.”
JOHN BISSET/Stuff
Pictured at Fisherman’s Bend in September 2022 are Mike Balcombe, Jessica Jones, and Amelia Balcombe, 13.
Of the 70,500 kilograms of rubbish and recycling collected from camping sites (18,230Kg more than the previous season), 6% was recycling, 41% was glass and 53% went to landfill.
Banks said this is an area that will need a “targeted education approach and focus” for the upcoming season.
The 2023-24 Waimate Lakes camping season is planned for September 16, 2023 to May 5, 2024, with the gates opening at 8am.
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