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.
