The reopening of the Wyndham Camping Ground is now a lot closer after the Southland District Council (SDC) transferred $34,000 to the project, from the Baird-Hewat Square/Doctors Square project.

The southern Southland facility has been closed since February 2024 after the previous leased was surrendered.

However the Waihopai Toetoe Community Board has been working towards reopening the facility with significant clean-ups and general repairs already completed.

Board chair Pam Yorke said the project was an important one for Wyndham.

“Our community has expressed a strong desire to have the camping ground reopened and we view it as a vital asset for the future of Wyndham.”

“We absolutely recognise its potential to attract visitors and stimulate local spending to support the town’s vitality, while also providing a necessary facility for people like seasonal workers.”

The board and council staff investigated the feasibility of installing user pays technology to enable the automated operation of the camping ground.

The preferred Penny System will allow automated bookings, access and paid use of services at the camping ground.

The funding will enable staff to progress the upgrades required while remaining consistent with the board’s objective to the project remaining cost neutral for ratepayers.