Environment Canterbury has decided to delay the introduction of new navigation safety bylaws, which includes compulsory wearing of life jackets on small boats, until June 1.
The bylaws, which also cover the Waitaki River and lakes, were to become operative today, but Christchurch's February 22 earthquake meant preparatory work had not been able to be completed.
The new navigation safety bylaws are aimed at ensuring public safety on the region's lakes, rivers, harbours and coastal waterways, and includes a section making the wearing of life jackets on boats under 6m compulsory.
They were approved by commissioners at a council meeting in December 2010, after a review of the existing 2005 regulations.
Director of resource management Kim Drummond said the February earthquake meant work such as completing and printing the bylaws, updating signage, publicising the new bylaws and meeting the statutory requirements for notification had not been completed.
This will now be done before June 1.