The Rangitata Camping Ground has closed over winter but will be recommissioned on 1 August in time for anglers and visitors in the warmer months.

The campground has been open year-round for the past few years, but with the retirement of the campground caretakers it has reverted to a nine-month operation.

The site is operated by the Ashburton District Council and has 24 powered sites and 31 non-powered sites, plus kitchen and laundry facilities and an ablution block.

Chief Executive Hamish Riach said the campground could be used by freedom campers, but there was no access to the campground’s kitchen, laundry and ablution facilities.

“There is also no electricity available for campers but there are public toilets at the river mouth that Council maintains and they are able to be used by anyone.”

Council is reviewing how it will operate the campground in the future and a report is expected to go before Councillors later in the year.