Water-lovers and river roamers are being encouraged to share their thoughts on how the safety of the district’s waterways are managed.

Community input will help inform the development of a new draft Navigation Safety Bylaw 2024. 

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) monitoring, enforcement and environmental manager Isabelle Logez said the council must update its navigation safety bylaw every five years and the 2018 bylaw is coming up for review.

“Many members of our community know these waters better than anyone, and local knowledge and experience are critical to making sure we have the right rules in place to keep everyone sailing smoothly,” Isabelle said.

They are being asked for general insights as well as specific input on topics including recreational jumping off the Albert Town Bridge.

She said QLDC is looking for general insights about how the community feels about the current rules and regulations on waterways, and specific feedback on a range of water-related topics.

They include topics that have been divisive in the past, like the location of ski lanes, board tethering at ‘The Wave’ on the Hāwea River, council’s role in relation to people jumping recreationally off the Albert Town Bridge, vessel identification, and events on the water.  

Isabelle encouraged the public to share feedback on what was being managed well, and what could be changed or improved to provide safer and more enjoyable lakes and rivers.

Thoughts on the draft bylaw can be shared on QLDC’s consultation site here. 

After feedback closes on November 5, community insights will be reviewed and considered to help QLDC determine what changes should be made to the current bylaw, Isabelle said. 

A draft Navigation Safety Bylaw will then be presented to councillors to seek formal approval to consult before it is made available for formal submissions mid-to-late 2024. 

PHOTO: Wānaka App