An 80-year-old pensioner faces a $400 fine after overstaying at a New Plymouth freedom camping site during severe weather. Bill McMurray, who has lived on the road for 11 years, was ticketed at Lake Rotomanu on February 15 after exceeding the three-night limit. While the New Plymouth District Council reviewed the case, they ultimately upheld the infringement, citing the availability of other local accommodation options.
Why the council upheld the fine
New Plymouth District Council transportation operations lead John Eagles stated that the council performed a “detailed review” of the incident before deciding to maintain the penalty. According to Eagles, while the council does not have a formal policy for suspending enforcement during inclement weather, they do consider individual circumstances. The council argues that McMurray, who was in a self-contained vehicle, could have accessed three other campgrounds within a 30-minute drive or parked in various legal locations throughout the district. Eagles noted that since June of last year, 95 of the 359 infringement notices issued at Lake Rotomanu have been successfully challenged or cancelled, indicating that the council does overturn fines when sufficient justification is provided.
The conflict over safety and enforcement
The dispute centers on whether it was safe for McMurray to move his 3.3-metre-high, 7-metre-long motorhome during the February 15 weather event. MetService records confirm that high winds affected Taranaki that day, with gusts in New Plymouth reaching 100km/h. McMurray reported that a gust “violently rocked” his vehicle, leading him to decide that staying put was the safest course of action. “At 80, nothing is so important, that it can’t wait until tomorrow,” McMurray said. Conversely, the council maintains that the stay limits are necessary to protect the environment and ensure equitable access to popular sites. Data from the council shows that the 359 infringements issued at the site since June have generated $68,600 in revenue, which the council uses to cover monitoring costs.
What happens next for the pensioner
As the council has finalized its decision, McMurray is currently managing the financial burden of the infringement. He stated that he intends to pay the $400 fine through $20 fortnightly installments deducted from his pension. Because the council has formally closed its investigation into the matter, it is unlikely the fine will be reversed without further external intervention. Should McMurray continue to contest the matter, he may seek paths outside of the council’s internal review process, though no further official actions have been declared at this time.
