Council seeks input from waterway users

Environment Waikato is seeking help from swimmers, boaties, water-skiers
and other recreational users of the Waikato region's waterways.

The council is holding public meetings across the region starting this
month as it seeks people's input for its Navigation Safety Bylaw review.

The bylaw sets out safe practices for waterway users and aims to reduce
conflicts between different activities.

"The meetings are a chance to tell us about any safety concerns you have
about our region's lakes, rivers, harbours and coastal areas,"
Environment Waikato navigation safety team leader Shelley Monrad said.

Some recreational areas were under increasing strain due to a recent
explosion in the popularity of water sports such as kayaking and
kiteboarding, she said.

"Over the past few years, for example, about 10,000 new kayaks have been
sold in New Zealand annually - that's about 60 per cent of all boats
sold - which is resulting in some new pressures.

"The bylaw review is a way of keeping up with these trends and adjusting
for changes to national regulations, to ensure people can enjoy water
sports safely."

Environment Waikato's existing Navigation Safety Bylaw became operative
in 2006. Since then a number of comments and suggested changes have been
recorded and these will also be incorporated into the review.

Some of these issues include the visibility of kayaks, the naming of
vessels and new zoning for Lake Maraetai and the upper reaches of Tairua
Harbour.

The public meetings will be held around the region from September 27 to
November 20.*

The existing bylaw, which covers all navigable Waikato waterways except
Lake Taupo, is available at Environment Waikato and district council
offices. It is also available at www.ew.govt.nz/navigation, or by
calling 0800 800 401.