A jet boat operator who uses the Kaituna River has been given approval to continue, despite objection from residents.
Bay of Plenty Regional Council gave approval for the commercial jet boat operation to continue on the river above where it meets the Mangorewa.
Aerius Limited had applied to the council to remove the speed limit over the stretch of the river it operated on.
Commercial jet boating has been a point of contention with landowners, and the focus of investigations and reports since jet boating began in the 1980s. Those opposed were concerned about the safety of other river users, jet boat speed and river bank erosion.
Several investigations were completed to assess the impact the jet boat operation was having on river bank erosion, and found that while jet boating was contributing to erosion, it was not considered to be the major cause.