The Central Otago District Council has backed a policy for the compulsory use of life jackets on boats on Lake Dunstan, which will be refined by community feedback.
This week, the council passed a draft bylaw review for the lake. Among other rule changes, it would require anyone on boats of under 6m to wear life jackets. Now, they are required only to be available on board.
This would align the lake’s rules with bylaws in Queenstown and other nearby areas.
At a council meeting in Alexandra this week there was little discussion.
Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan said it was just adopting a draft and changes could be made based on public consultation.
Cr Barrie Wills said a 5-knot rule which was to be introduced for the Kawarau arm of Lake Dunstan from the Bannockburn Bridge to the Goldfields Mining Centre would make that section difficult to navigate.
Council parks and recreation manager Mat Begg said things such as that could be reviewed as consultation went ahead.
Another change was the requirement for boats to have names or registration numbers for identification.
New rules also created three new swimming-only areas around the lake and altered speed limits for sections of the water depending on how use had changed.
A survey of 225 lake users, advice from the Lake Dunstan enforcement officer, changes in boating requirements throughout the country, and specific recreational boating uses on Lake Dunstan had been considered in preparing the review.
