18 Jan 2018

Visitors treating Queenstown like an 'outdoor toilet' - mayor

5:07 pm on 18 January 2018

Campers and visitors pooing in the bush are sparking complaints almost daily in Queenstown, the district's mayor says.

Queenstown, south island, new zealand looking over Lake Wakatipu with the remarkables in the distance.

Queenstown, with The Remarkables as a backdrop. Photo: 123RF

Queenstown Lakes District Mayor Jim Boult said he was getting complaints almost daily from locals fed up with freedom campers and other visitors leaving their faeces in public places.

"It is to the stage where we're starting to get negative feedback from locals.

"The feedback's based on two issues. Firstly is crowding into spaces which some of our locals regard as areas for them to have their recreation in, and the other issue is people treating our outdoor areas as a giant toilet," he said.

"It's just not on. They wouldn't do it in their own place and lord knows why they think they can come here and do it."

Jim Boult Queenstown Mayor

Jim Boult Photo: supplied

More than 100,000 visitors flock to the resort during the busy summer period.

The majority were respectful and it was not just freedom campers, but daytrippers too, Mr Boult said.

"One of the other issues we're going to have to address is the fact that New Zealand does not have enough public toilets."

He was getting frequent complaints and photos from fed-up residents.