Jet-boat speed ruling deferred

A proposal to remove the jet-boat speed limit on the Hunter River was sent back to the hearing panel by the Queenstown Lakes District Council after protests during the public forum yesterday.

The draft Waterways Navigation and Safety Bylaw was recommended for adoption, but concerns relating to the proposed removal of the 5-knot speed limit on the river were voiced before the start of the full council meeting.

Field officer Cliff Halford said Otago Fish and Game did not approve of jet-boating on the Hunter River and did not support removing the speed limit because of the river's special environmental and scenic values.

"Jet-boating on smaller rivers is a dominating activity that . . . may result in displacement of anglers. Safety is also a concern."

Kawarau Jet lawyer Jim Castiglione said the operator and other submitters had not had enough time to review the draft legislation. Kawarau Jet was only made aware of the council's intention to adopt the bylaw last Friday, he said.

Upper Clutha Angling Club secretary Rick Boyd said there was potential conflict between anglers in the water and "fleets of jet-boats buzzing by".

However, Jet Boating New Zealand rivers officer Eddie McKenzie said jet-boating opened up the Hunter River to people of all ages and abilities and urged the council to consider navigational and safety issues rather than "environmental and emotional" issues in the draft bylaw.

Council regulatory and corporate services general manager Roger Taylor said the public notification of the bylaw review and draft fully complied with the Local Government Act.

Councillors identified a contradiction between the draft bylaw working-party recommendation that the 5-knot speed limit on Hunter River be removed annually from November 1 to April 30, and the district plan, which prohibits motorised craft on Hunter River from May to October inclusive to protect trout spawning.

Cr Gillian MacLeod was in favour of maintaining the status quo and addressing the plan. The Hunter River was too valuable to put at risk and maps of greater clarity were needed by councillors, she said.

Chief executive Duncan Field said there was no legal incompatibility between the Hunter River aspects of the draft bylaw and district plan. However, it would most likely be tested in court in a prosecution for an infringement of the 5-knot speed limit and the court would refer to the bylaw, he said.

Crs Cath Gilmour and John R. Wilson agreed there was no hurry for the Hunter River recommendation to be adopted at this point.

"Get the maps right, get the wording right and come back in a month," Mr Wilson said.