Boat-launching ramp fees have been introduced at two popular Lake Benmore camping areas as the Waitaki District Council attempts to recover some of the costs of maintaining the facilities for day-trippers.
A daily fee of $5 or a season ticket of $80 will now have to be paid by people using the Ohau C and Falstone boat-launching facilities on Lake Benmore's Haldon arm.
Campers who have a season ticket for both areas will be exempt.
Money from the new charge will be used to maintain, service and upgrade launching facilities, including the ramps, car parking, toilets, jetties and rubbish collection.
In the past, day users have not had to pay a fee - they were subsidised either by ratepayers or campers who pay for their campsites.
Some campers believed they were subsidising day-trippers.
So far, only the Ohau C and Falstone launch facilities are subject to the charge.
However, council property manager Dougall McIntyre said yesterday other launch facilities on all Waitaki lakes under the council's control were under pressure both in terms of demand and maintenance.
For example, more facilities, particularly for launching boats, could be needed at Sailor's Cutting on Lake Benmore.
"We will have to look at how to fund those in the future," he said.
The issue has arisen because management of the facilities, including the boat ramps, are being handed to the council.
That also applies to the other Waitaki lakes councils - Mackenzie and Waimate districts.
The three district councils, along with the Timaru Yacht and Power Boat Club, would be discussing how to meet the costs of maintaining those facilities in the future.
At Ohau C and Falstone, launching-ramp users have to buy a day ticket from an honesty box or can buy a season ticket from the camp manager.
The launch ticket has to be displayed in the vehicle being used for launching and vehicles will be checked by the manager.
