The council’s approach to waterway safety has faced criticism during discussions for a new Otago Regional Council bylaw concerning navigation on coastal areas and Lake Dunstan.
Management of Queenstown Lakes’ waterways falls under the district council’s jurisdiction, based on a longstanding agreement with the regional council established over two decades ago.
Katie McNabb, an expert witness in the Environment Court since 2022, argued during the bylaw submission process that navigation oversight should revert to the regional council.
McNabb stressed the importance of transferring delegation from the district council to enhance safety and protect lives.
She criticized the current setup, where the district council utilizes an external provider rather than directly hiring a harbourmaster, describing it as “extraordinary” and lacking assurances regarding staff quality, qualifications, and accountability.
A district council spokesperson countered that the harbourmaster service integrates internal management with external contractor delivery.
“Personnel operating on QLDC waterways are warranted harbourmasters, duly qualified and certified under Maritime NZ frameworks. They provide 24/7 coverage to address incidents and safety issues,” the spokesperson noted.
“This strategy represents QLDC’s intentional choice to offer a flexible, scalable service, especially during peak seasons, in a cost-efficient manner,” the spokesperson added.
— Steve Hepburn
