The Glenorchy-based tourism operator lodged a resource consent application at Lakes Environmental for approval to remove logs and other hazards from within, alongside and hanging over river channels on the Dart River to ensure safe navigation by jet-boat and inflatable canoe.
The Ngai Tahu-owned company wanted to conduct minor excavation of gravel bars and remove material using an excavator, tractor and back-blade to maintain sufficient water flow to the key channels.
It sought approval to remove material from the river and adjoining banks from four sections to enable jet-boats to pull in for passengers for short guided walks.
The operator also wanted to blast rocks of up to 1cu m, mainly in the upper Dart River.
Blasting was the preferred method as the upper reaches of the river were inaccessible for machinery.
Beansburn to Sandy Bluff, Routeburn to Beansburn and Routeburn to the Dart River mouth were the areas of proposed works.
Dart River Jet Safaris business unit manager Andy Chapman said yesterday there was a "strong safety component" behind the application.
"The river is . . . constantly changing.
"From time to time, we get flood events and the gravels are constantly being moved around.
"We're seeking approval to go in and open up some of those gravel bars."
Large rock boulders which occasionally landed in channels after floods could be too large to move by hand or vehicle and the company wanted to be able to blast the rocks.
Written approvals had been obtained from Fish and Game Otago, Department of Conservation, the Queenstown Lakes District Council harbourmaster, Kai Tahu ki Otago, Ngai Tahu and Land Information New Zealand, the consent application stated.
River works would be carried out Monday to Friday, from 8am to 5pm, and on Saturday, from 8am to 1pm.
Works would be restricted during spawning and bird breeding seasons.
