Orakei split to keep all users happy

Water-skiers will be segregated from paddling and sailing craft at Orakei Basin under a proposal to settle a long-running row over how to keep all users safe and happy.

The present management of the basin is said to risk a serious accident and confuses users with two different sets of bylaws.

One bylaw means that the Auckland Water Ski Club, which has used the basin for 50 years, is breaking the Auckland Regional Council's navigation safety law because vessels exceed five knots within 200m of the shore or structures.

The club has exclusive use rights on competition days granted by the Auckland City Council.

That council's condition of use allows skiing up to 30m from the shore and speeds up to 60km/h.

Complaints prompted the city and regional councils to meet groups for water-skiing, kayaking, young mariners, sea scouts and model boat sailing.

"We looked at separating activities by having different times for them but physical separation was the one the users broadly agreed upon," said city council Hobson ward manager Jonathon Anyon.

As a result, submissions will be sought on a proposal to have the southern portion of the basin cordoned off with buoys for a water-skiing area. This would leave the northern portion for use by craft without motors.