Proposed speed increase for Clutha River boats gets backlash

The Clutha River at Allangrange Rd. Photo: ODT files

A proposal to allow boats to travel at a higher speed on the Clutha River between the Lake Wanaka outlet and the first rapid, about 2km downstream, have been overwhelmingly opposed by a majority of submitters.

Under the existing bylaw, boats are limited to 5 knots on that stretch at all times.

The amendment would allow boats to travel over 5 knots between the outlet and the Albert Town Bridge during daylight hours, but under 5 knots after 4pm.

The proposed changes follow a Queenstown Lakes District Council review of current bylaws, including the Navigation Safety Bylaw 2014.

Council harbourmaster Marty Black said the speed restriction was not working and it was almost impossible to enforce it, as many boat users ignored the speed limit.

Those who did obey the bylaw "idled'' along the 5km stretch of the river, which in many ways caused more noise and wash than a boat doing more than 5 knots.

At a meeting in Wanaka in September, councillors voted to consult the public on the proposed changes.

Submissions closed on October 31 and the council received 297 submissions.

Of these 285, including six from organisations, opposed the changes and 12 were supportive.

The majority of those opposed to the change were concerned that the higher speeds would endanger passive recreational users, in particular between Lake Wanaka and the Albert Town bridge.

Submitters noted that this area of the river contained popular spots for passive recreational activities by families and children, including swimming, floating, kayaking, paddle-boarding and fishing.

The use of the river for passive recreation was common during the specified daytime hours of the proposed uplifting, including during the winter, some submitters said.

Concern about the risk of collision with jet-boats and jet skis was also noted.

Forecast population growth would exacerbate these safety concerns, others said.

Mount Aspiring College said it used the stretch of river between Lake Wanaka and the Albert Town bridge during school hours for teaching outdoor recreation and it was concerned the increased speed limit would "diminish the safety of students'', in particular at bends in the river.

Other concerns raised included a risk to native bird life, the increased noise, wash, pollution and visual disturbance likely to arise from faster boat traffic, and the effect on the ability of anglers to wade out into the river.

Jet Boating New Zealand said the uplifting was consistent with the proposed and operative district plan, but suggested the speed limit in the Albert Town swimming area should not exceed five knots.

The Navigation Bylaw hearing panel will be held over two days in the Armstrong Room of the Lake Wanaka Centre starting at 10am tomorrow.

Fifty submitters from Wanaka and 10 from Queenstown have confirmed they wish to make a oral submissions.

Crs Calum MacLeod, Quentin Smith and John MacDonald will hear the submissions and a final decision is expected to be released on December 17.

kerrie.waterworth@odt.co.nz