An overwhelming majority of public submissions oppose
allowing jet-boats on the remote Hunter River at the head of
Lake Hawea.
A Queenstown Lakes District Council working party has been
charged with reviewing an existing navigation bylaw.
The bylaw effectively bans jet-boats and jet skis from the
Hunter River.
The council received 79 public submissions about a proposal
to uplift the 5 knot speed limit.
The limit prevents motorised watercraft travelling upstream
on the river.
Sixty-six submitters are opposed to changing the speed limit.
Thirteen submissions were made in support of changing it.
The Hunter River is one of the few braided, navigable, rivers
in the Lakes district to which jet-boaters do not already
have access under the council's district plan.
The river and remote valley are together considered one of
the remaining wilderness areas in the district.
The area is famed for its scenic amenity values, native
birdlife, and quality freshwater fisheries.
Nearly all the opposing submitters say the Hunter River
should be protected from the "threat" of jet-boating.
Safety issues for anglers, noise levels, and adverse effects
on trout fishing were all cited as concerns.
The 13 submitters who supported the council's proposed
amendment - which would only apply during an annual six-month
period between November and April - said the large size of
the river would enable multiple uses and valley activities to
co-exist.
Some of the supporting submissions also cited existing
commercial users, such as guided fishing and hunting
expeditions flying aircraft and/or driving four-wheel-drive
vehicles into the valley, as having a similar effect on
amenity values in the area.
A council working party of councillors Lyal Cocks, Leigh
Overton (both of Wanaka), and Mel Gazzard (Queenstown) will
consider the submissions, and will visit the river.
An original recommendation to uplift the 5 knot speed limit
was sent back to the working party for reconsideration at a
full council meeting in July.
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