A licence to use land at the Clutha River Outlet Recreation Reserve for launching guided kayaking tours was approved in principle by the Wanaka Community Board on Thursday and will now go out for public consultation.
Clutha River Adventures Limited (CRAL) already has resource consent to carry out guided kayaking tours on the Clutha River and now requires a licence to occupy reserve land for the purpose of launching inflatable kayaks and providing safety instruction and tuition to customers.
In a report to the community board, Dan Egerton, of APL Property Queenstown Limited, said CRAL's consent was for four trips a day down the Clutha River between the hours of 8am and 8pm, with a maximum of five boats per trip.
Each inflatable kayak can carry two people and the guide will take an additional boat. It is envisaged it will take about 15 to 20 minutes to launch the kayaks from the river edge.
No structures will be allowed on the reserve and no bookings will be taken from there.
Harbourmaster Marty Black had already approved CRAL's safety operation plan, Mr Egerton said.
The company has a temporary licence which enables it to operate 42 days a year, on no more than six consecutive days.
Community board chairman Lyal Cocks sought confirmation from Mr Egerton the company would not be granted "exclusive rights" to the land in question under the licence agreement.
Mr Egerton said the land would remain a shared space with other reserve users.
While the outlet reserve got "very busy" during the summer with a large number of boats launched from the foreshore, the area was of a considerable size and no negative impact on other reserve users as a result of CRAL's activities was anticipated, Mr Egerton said in his report.
The board has given approval to APL Property to notify the council's intention to grant the licence and call for submissions.
