Have your say on water rules
Water-lovers and river roamers are being encouraged to share their thoughts on how the safety of the district’s waterways is managed, to help inform the development of a new draft Navigation Safety Bylaw 2024.
Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) Monitoring, Enforcement & Environmental Manager, Isabelle Logez says: "Many members of our community know these waters better than anyone, and local knowledge and experience are critical to making sure we have the right rules in place to keep everyone sailing smoothly."
QLDC is looking for general insights about how the community feels about the current rules and regulations on waterways, and specific feedback on a range of water-related topics, including lifejacket use, the location of ski lanes on several lakes, vessel identification and events on the water.
It will also look at board tethering to ensure safe use of ‘The Wave’ on the Hāwea River, and the council’s role in relation to people jumping recreationally off the Albert Town Bridge.
Logez encourages everyone to consider the many waterways around the Queenstown Lakes, and to share feedback on what was being managed well, and what could be changed or improved to provide safer and more enjoyable lakes and rivers for everyone.
"Whether you're a seasoned sailor or a lakeshore-loving landlubber, your insights will help us adjust our bylaw’s sails," she says.
"Don’t just dip your toes into this topic. Make a splash and tell us how we can strike the perfect balance between safety and recreation on our waters.”
Thoughts on the draft bylaw can be shared on QLDC’s consultation site at letstalk.qldc.govt.nz/navigation-safety-bylaw-2018-pre-engagement.
After feedback closes on Sunday, 5 November, 2023 community insights into how our waterways are currently being managed will be reviewed and considered to help us determine what changes should be made to the current bylaw.
A draft Navigation Safety Bylaw will then be presented to councillors to seek formal approval to consult before it is made available for formal submissions mid-to-late 2024.
The Navigation Safety Bylaw applies to the navigable waters and foreshore within the Queenstown Lakes District and aims to manage water-based activities.
The Navigation Safety Bylaw 2018 prescribes offences and penalties for contraventions of its provisions, and regulates a range of different activities, including the use or management of vessels; speed of vessels; placing and maintenance of moorings and maritime facilities; nuisances arising from the use of vessels and people on the water; reserved areas; sporting, training, ceremonial, or other customary events; vessel traffic and anchorages; and life jacket use.
Council is required to review its bylaws every five years, and in some cases every 10 years. The Navigation Safety Bylaw 2018 is now coming up for its five-year review.
The Navigation Safety Bylaw 2018 can be read at: www.qldc.govt.nz/media/305he24q/navigation-safety-bylaw-2018.pdf
