A legal challenge mounted by the Omaha Beach Community (OBC) residents and ratepayers group has successfully stalled moves to introduce a controversial new freedom camping bylaw.

The bylaw was due to be voted on by Auckland Council’s Governing Body last week, but the vote was deferred after Mayor Phil Goff advised councillors in an email that the freedom camping bylaw process needed to be paused while “legal implications are considered”.

Mr Goff told councillors that Council had received a letter from lawyers representing Omaha residents that challenged the way the freedom camping bylaw had been consulted on and “raised specific issues around reserves in that area”. ... read more