Drop anchor and your thoughts on our Navigation Safety Bylaw 2025

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Ahoy, water-lovers and river roamers!

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on the draft Navigation Safety Bylaw 2025. Consultation closed on 31 October 2024, followed by a hearing on 25 November. Councillors will vote on the final bylaw on 20 March 2025, with the new rules taking effect immediately.

>> View the feedback from the Let's Talk online survey

>> View the emailed submissions to Let's Talk

>> Watch the draft Navigation Bylaw 2025 deliberations

About the draft Navigation Safety Bylaw 2025

Residents and visitors alike treasure the stunning lakes and rivers of the Queenstown Lakes District, and we all value the safe and accessible recreational opportunities they provide. QLDC’s duty under the Maritime Transport Act 1994 is to ensure maritime safety is achieved so everyone can safely enjoy our waterways.

The Navigation Safety Bylaw 2018 (the current bylaw) has been in place since March 2018. It is due for review and will automatically expire if not reviewed prior to March 2025.

On 19 September 2024, Council endorsed the draft Navigation Safety Bylaw 2025 | Te Ture ā-Rohe mō te Haumaru Whakatere 2025 (the draft bylaw) for consultation with the community. The draft bylaw proposes a range of changes from the current bylaw to ensure navigation safety is achieved in the district.

You can read the draft Navigation Safety Bylaw 2025 (with proposed amendments) here.


How’s the management of our waterways working for you?

Now, we’re charting the course for the next stage of the bylaw development process and are ready to receive your feedback on the draft bylaw. The draft bylaw includes:

  • provisions that are proposed to be carried forward into the draft bylaw without any amendment,

  • amendments proposed to provisions of the current bylaw, and

  • new provisions addressing matters that are not currently addressed in the bylaw.


Key amendments addressed in the draft bylaw include:

  • ski lane locations and identification,

  • navigation safety risk associated with recreational jumping from the Albert Town Bridge,

  • vessel identification,

  • temporary events on the water,

  • vessel speed interpretation,

  • Kawarau Dam access lanes,

  • carriage of communication devices, and

  • other minor corrections to improve the clarity, legibility and overall accessibility of the bylaw.


Get informed

Please check out the following documents before making a submission:


The Statement of Proposal includes:

  • a copy of the draft Navigation Safety Bylaw 2025 / Te Ture ā-Rohe mō te Haumaru Whakatere 2025,

  • information about the proposed amendments, including Council’s determinations under section 155 of the Local Government Act 2002,

  • the reasons for the proposed amendments,

  • how the public and any interested person can have their say on the draft bylaw, and

  • the timetable for consultation.


The Summary of Information provides a high-level overview of the draft bylaw and the main amendments being proposed.


Submissions and feedback were accepted from 8.00am on 30 September 2024 to 5.00pm on 31 October 2024. The submission period has now closed.

What’s next?


Indicative dateActivity
19 September 2024Council adopted the proposal for consultation.
30 September 2024Consultation period begins (8.00am)
31 October 2024Consultation period ends (5.00pm)
25 November 2024Oral submissions heard by Council hearing panel.
20 March 2025
Deliberations and Council to adopt new bylaw.

Ahoy, water-lovers and river roamers!

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on the draft Navigation Safety Bylaw 2025. Consultation closed on 31 October 2024, followed by a hearing on 25 November. Councillors will vote on the final bylaw on 20 March 2025, with the new rules taking effect immediately.

>> View the feedback from the Let's Talk online survey

>> View the emailed submissions to Let's Talk

>> Watch the draft Navigation Bylaw 2025 deliberations

About the draft Navigation Safety Bylaw 2025

Residents and visitors alike treasure the stunning lakes and rivers of the Queenstown Lakes District, and we all value the safe and accessible recreational opportunities they provide. QLDC’s duty under the Maritime Transport Act 1994 is to ensure maritime safety is achieved so everyone can safely enjoy our waterways.

The Navigation Safety Bylaw 2018 (the current bylaw) has been in place since March 2018. It is due for review and will automatically expire if not reviewed prior to March 2025.

On 19 September 2024, Council endorsed the draft Navigation Safety Bylaw 2025 | Te Ture ā-Rohe mō te Haumaru Whakatere 2025 (the draft bylaw) for consultation with the community. The draft bylaw proposes a range of changes from the current bylaw to ensure navigation safety is achieved in the district.

You can read the draft Navigation Safety Bylaw 2025 (with proposed amendments) here.


How’s the management of our waterways working for you?

Now, we’re charting the course for the next stage of the bylaw development process and are ready to receive your feedback on the draft bylaw. The draft bylaw includes:

  • provisions that are proposed to be carried forward into the draft bylaw without any amendment,

  • amendments proposed to provisions of the current bylaw, and

  • new provisions addressing matters that are not currently addressed in the bylaw.


Key amendments addressed in the draft bylaw include:

  • ski lane locations and identification,

  • navigation safety risk associated with recreational jumping from the Albert Town Bridge,

  • vessel identification,

  • temporary events on the water,

  • vessel speed interpretation,

  • Kawarau Dam access lanes,

  • carriage of communication devices, and

  • other minor corrections to improve the clarity, legibility and overall accessibility of the bylaw.


Get informed

Please check out the following documents before making a submission:


The Statement of Proposal includes:

  • a copy of the draft Navigation Safety Bylaw 2025 / Te Ture ā-Rohe mō te Haumaru Whakatere 2025,

  • information about the proposed amendments, including Council’s determinations under section 155 of the Local Government Act 2002,

  • the reasons for the proposed amendments,

  • how the public and any interested person can have their say on the draft bylaw, and

  • the timetable for consultation.


The Summary of Information provides a high-level overview of the draft bylaw and the main amendments being proposed.


Submissions and feedback were accepted from 8.00am on 30 September 2024 to 5.00pm on 31 October 2024. The submission period has now closed.

What’s next?


Indicative dateActivity
19 September 2024Council adopted the proposal for consultation.
30 September 2024Consultation period begins (8.00am)
31 October 2024Consultation period ends (5.00pm)
25 November 2024Oral submissions heard by Council hearing panel.
20 March 2025
Deliberations and Council to adopt new bylaw.

Ask a question

Do you have a question about the draft Navigation Safety Bylaw 2025?  Ask it here and we'll get it answered as soon as possible. 

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  • Share Why isn't bobs cove in there?? The area is too small for beach starts. The tourist population using the beach area/water has grown and there is more beach goers swimming than boating. People kayaking/Suping, swimming to the jetty. Summer holidays is a death waiting to happen. I've almost been hit 3 times, seen a pregnant lady almost hit standing on the shore. There's just not room for beach starts. Heaps of room out in the bay. on Facebook Share Why isn't bobs cove in there?? The area is too small for beach starts. The tourist population using the beach area/water has grown and there is more beach goers swimming than boating. People kayaking/Suping, swimming to the jetty. Summer holidays is a death waiting to happen. I've almost been hit 3 times, seen a pregnant lady almost hit standing on the shore. There's just not room for beach starts. Heaps of room out in the bay. on Twitter Share Why isn't bobs cove in there?? The area is too small for beach starts. The tourist population using the beach area/water has grown and there is more beach goers swimming than boating. People kayaking/Suping, swimming to the jetty. Summer holidays is a death waiting to happen. I've almost been hit 3 times, seen a pregnant lady almost hit standing on the shore. There's just not room for beach starts. Heaps of room out in the bay. on Linkedin Email Why isn't bobs cove in there?? The area is too small for beach starts. The tourist population using the beach area/water has grown and there is more beach goers swimming than boating. People kayaking/Suping, swimming to the jetty. Summer holidays is a death waiting to happen. I've almost been hit 3 times, seen a pregnant lady almost hit standing on the shore. There's just not room for beach starts. Heaps of room out in the bay. link

    Why isn't bobs cove in there?? The area is too small for beach starts. The tourist population using the beach area/water has grown and there is more beach goers swimming than boating. People kayaking/Suping, swimming to the jetty. Summer holidays is a death waiting to happen. I've almost been hit 3 times, seen a pregnant lady almost hit standing on the shore. There's just not room for beach starts. Heaps of room out in the bay.

    shaworth asked 6 months ago

    Thank you for your feedback. Please refer to Ski lane analysis that provides further detail on Council Officer’s initial assessment of this particular ski lane. We encourage you to submit your feedback formally via the Let’s Talk page to ensure your feedback is considered as part of the bylaw review.

Page last updated: 20 Mar 2025, 10:05 AM