Experienced harbourmasters who have served on local lakes and rivers for 19 years will be replaced by a security firm, which is currently contracted to council to provide various enforcement services throughout the district. 

Last week the Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) announced Cougar Security Group, which was contracted last summer to ensure the local $5 boat ramp fee was paid by boaties, would replace Southern Monitoring Services (SMS) to conduct harbourmasters’ duties, overseeing navigational safety and provide waterways regulatory services.

QLDC regulatory manager Anthony Hall acknowledged that the change in contract delivery will mean farewell to some well-known individuals from our waterways.

“For 19 years QLDC waterways regulatory services have been provided by Southern Monitoring Services. Many in our community will be familiar with the harbourmasters Marty Black and Dave Black in Queenstown-Wakatipu and Craig Blake in Wanaka.”

He said the council acknowledged the great work they have done in providing this service and “for frequently going over and above what has been expected”.

Coastguard Wanaka Lakes is expected “to work closely” with the new contractors taking over the harbourmasters’ duties. PHOTO: Supplied

Anthony said the aim of the service is to facilitate the safe use of local waterways for all recreational and commercial users by undertaking education, monitoring, issuing infringement notices where needed and responding to complaints received via the council’s ‘request for service’ system.

He said Cougar has extensive capability and experience in enforcement of council regulations, including local parking, noise control, animal control and freedom camping regulations, and has “a proven track record in the skills and experience sought”. 

“Cougar will be working closely with the local Coastguard teams to ensure collectively they can respond to emergencies on the water, complementing council’s core role of ensuring the current bylaws and rules are adhered to,” Anthony said.

Coastguard Wanaka Lakes president Jonathan Walmisley said CWL has not been approached about working with Cougar but said “under no circumstances will CWL take any form of regulatory enforcement”.

“We are a search and rescue agency and an educational agency and we do not want to be put in a position to enforce bylaws. It muddies our role,” he said.

Jonathan said the CWL had a very good relationship with SMS harbourmasters and staff, working together during emergencies.

He was prepared to take a “wait and see” approach with Cougar, he said.

“Cougar will continue to deliver on council’s desire to ensure navigational safety and support has high levels of visibility and presence on our waterways, especially over the popular and busy summer months,” Anthony said.

The Wanaka App asked council why it chose to award the contract to a security firm rather than continue with SMS’s experienced harbourmaster team. 

A QLDC spokesperson said the council followed a full procurement process. All tenders received were assessed based on the criteria specified, including relevant experience, relevant skills, methodology and processes and fees, and Cougar’s tender was successful.  

Cougar has also been awarded QLDC contracts for CCTV maintenance, alarm monitoring and response on council buildings, and regulatory services.

The new waterways regulatory services contract will take effect from July 1.

PHOTOS: Wanaka App