Environment Canterbury is proposing to create new navigation safety bylaws aimed at ensuring public safety and amenity on lakes, rivers and coastal waterways throughout the region.
Commissioner Donald Couch said the proposed new bylaws follow a review of existing 2005 regulations, which included feedback from a wide range of water users, and will be open to public submission from July 3 until August 13.
Kim Drummond, Environment Canterbury director regulation, said that the proposed new bylaw requiring the wearing of lifejackets in recreational craft under 6 metres follows proposed Maritime New Zealand regulations but is customised for Canterbury. This will serve as an effective tool for enhancing water safety and education throughout the region.
The purpose of drafting new bylaws is to provide a new set of regulations that are more effective for navigation safety purposes in that they will be easier for the public to understand. While most of the proposed bylaw provisions have the same or very similar effect as the current 2005 bylaws, there are numerous changes to the wording and the format.
In addition, a number of safety issues and other concerns raised by the public and Environment Canterbury staff have resulted in proposed amendments which are site specific and address local issues and the requirements of the different water users.
Mr Drummond said that if adopted, all of the changes will be in force by April 1, 2011.
The site specific bylaws that have had changes made to them in the draft bylaws are those relating to:
• Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō.
- New Bylaw Clause10.10 (h) Purau Bay Reserved Area,
- Located at head of the Purau Bay for swimming and non-powered craft,
- For the safety and amenity of swimmers & those using ‘passive’ craft such as kayaks.
• Akaroa Harbour.
- New Bylaw Clause11.1 (f) Broughs Bay/ Le Petit Carenage Access Lane,
- To provide for a water ski access lane,
- For safety reasons, to limit and regularise existing water ski use.
• Lower Waimakariri River.
- New High Speed Area (uplift 5 knot limit) in Lower Waimakariri River; Subject to the condition that the 5 knot speed limit applies (for powered craft) on yachting regatta days,
- For safety reasons, to regularise existing practise and allow for demand for jet-boating in the area.
• Rangitata River
- New Deep Stream/Deep Creek Reserved Area,
- For swimming and non-powered craft (reserved all year round),
- For safety and amenity of swimmers & those using ‘passive’ craft such as kayaks.
• Lake Aviemore/Mahi Tikumu.
- Bylaw Amendment 12.3.(2) Continue to allow high speed boating but delete provision for water skiing in this area of lake,
- New Bylaw13.3.(19) Waitangi Campground Reserved Area,
- Reserved for swimming and non-powered craft,
- For the safety and amenity of swimmers & those using ‘passive’ craft such as kayaks.
• Lake Benmore/Te Ao Mārama.
- New map showing:
- Uplifted 5 knot speed limit throughout Ahuriri Gorge,
- Maximum 5 knot limit close to shore/Benmore Launching Ramp,
- To provide for current activity and for safety reasons.
• Lake Forsyth/Wairewa.
- New Bylaw 12.13 maximum speed on lake to be 5 knots,
- For the safety and amenity of those on the lake using ‘passive’ craft such as kayaks.
• Lake Rūataniwha.
- Bylaw Amendment to Clause 12.34 by increasing the width of the low speed (5
knot) area adjoining the water’s edge to 100m wide rather than 50m,
- Retain the temporary bylaws,
- Note: Bylaw comes into force on December 10, 2010.
• Lake Waitaki.
- New Bylaw 12.41(4) Fishermans Bend Reserved Area,
- Reserved for swimming and non-powered craft,
- For the safety and amenity of swimmers & those using ‘passive’ craft such as kayaks.
For more information on the proposed bylaws (including maps) go to http://ecan.govt.nz/navbylaw
For more information contact: Kim Drummond, Director Regulation, 03 372 7232, 027 497-8366.
Donald Couch, Environment Canterbury Commissioner, 0800 COMMISSIONERS.