An accident in Riverton which injured a teenager has prompted Environment Southland to consider changing its marine bylaws earlier than planned.
Council integrated catchment management manager Paul Hulse said the recreation boating incident which occurred in the Riverton Harbour in July last year was one of the reasons the review had been brought forward.
Talia Raines, then 13, was training for a rowing regatta with her mother Rike when their skiff was rammed by a boat in the Jacobs River Estuary.
Talia told Stuff earlier this month she was left with permanent damage to her mouth and face as a result.
She sustained multiple injuries including a broken jaw, torn gum and dislodged teeth, and would need dental work into her 20s.
The council conducted a thorough investigation of the incident, where a powered recreational vessel collided with the pair’s rowing skiff, causing minor to moderate injuries to the mother and daughter.
After receiving legal advice, the offending skipper was fined $200 for his actions — the maximum penalty available under the current bylaws.
"We acknowledge the level of infringement fines available to us don’t meet contemporary community expectations, and this review is an opportunity to ensure the bylaws are fit for purpose," Mr Hulse said.
"In speaking with one of the families affected by the incident, they expressed disappointment at the level of the infringement and as a result felt let down by the system as a whole.
"We undertook to carry out this review, and some preliminary work has been under way to initiate it."
Starting the review early would give the council time to consider all aspects of the bylaws.
Navigational safety bylaws are required to be reviewed every 10 years, and the process for carrying out the review is set out in the Local Government Act 2002.
There will be an opportunity for public feedback on any proposed changes to the bylaws and infringement fees, before decisions were made.