Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is asking residents to weigh in on proposed changes to waterway rules including the removal of ski lanes at Eely Point and other locations on Lake Wānaka.

The draft Navigation Safety Bylaw 2025 also proposes the creation of ‘passage lanes’ under the Albert Town Bridge to separate swimmers and bridge jumpers from vessels.

Councillors approved the draft bylaw for consultation at last month’s meeting but some, including deputy mayor Quentin Smith, noted that the existing bylaw was “working pretty well”.

The bylaw should be “looking for evolution, not revolution”, he said.

Wānaka Upper Clutha Community Board (WUCCB) members also recommended sticking with the status quo for the most part at a meeting in July.

Read more: No big changes needed for water rules - community board

Previous proposals to restrict bridge jumping at Albert Town have faced heated opposition from members of the public, as have proposals to reduce ski lanes.

The draft bylaw currently out for consultation proposes the removal of the Waterfall Creek ski lane and the Roys Bay ski lane adjacent to Pembroke Park in addition to the Eely Point ski lane.

It proposes to reduce Glendhu Bay’s eastern ski lane by 50 metres but keep the western ski lane as is.

The draft bylaw proposes removing ski lanes from Eely Point, Roys Bay, and Waterfall Creek.

A range of changes are also proposed for ski lanes in the Wakatipu Ward.

The draft bylaw would carry over “the majority of provisions” from the existing bylaw, QLDC principal policy advisor Luke Place said.

They included rules around life jackets and safe use of the Wave in Hāwea, which would remain the same.

Other proposed changes include increasing vessel identification requirements and increasing the harbourmaster’s involvement and discretion over events on the water.

Council staff said the draft bylaw had been informed by public engagement including online pre-engagement late last year and a public workshop with elected members in April.

Submissions on the draft bylaw are open for the month of October.

Read the draft bylaw and provide feedback here or find a copy at Wānaka’s QLDC office or library.

PHOTOS: Wānaka App