Proposed navigation safety changes feedback deadline looms

Time is running out for people to have their say on proposed bylaw changes designed to make Northland’s harbours and estuaries safer and reflect changing recreational use of them.

A two-month consultation period on the on the proposed changes to the Northland Regional Council’s Navigation Safety Bylaw began early last month and ends Friday 03 February.

The consultation period is longer than usual and designed to ensure that both local residents – and those who regularly visit our coastal areas over the summer break - have plenty of time to have their say.

Chidambaram Surendran, the regional council’s Deputy Harbourmaster, says about 80 submissions have already been received and he urges as many people as possible to comment ahead of the 03 February deadline.

He says the proposed changes will incorporate a number of safety improvements but also reflect changing maritime recreational activities.

“Maritime incidents over the past several years have been analysed and the information gathered has led to proposals to amend or introduce a number of bylaw clauses to improve safety.”

The bylaw is also being updated to include changes in the way our coastal areas are used and the effects these have on other users and coastal communities.

Mr Surendran says some procedural changes are also proposed as a result of incidents and feedback received from various users and user groups.

Some of the main changes being proposed are tightened life jacket requirements, new or altered areas designated for high-speed activities, removal of some existing ski lanes, restrictions on the transfer of mooring licenses and an increased emphasis on mooring maintenance.

A summary of the main changes proposed in the Draft Navigation Safety Bylaw 2012 – along with a detailed comparison with the current bylaws – is available on the council’s website at www.nrc.govt.nz/draftnavbylaw

Information is also available by phoning the regional council on 0800 002 004.

Mr Surendran says hearings to consider the public submissions will probably be held late next month and early in March.

“The venues and dates will be confirmed once we have a final tally of submitter numbers and where those submitters are from, but at this stage, hearings will probably be held in both Whangarei and the Bay of Islands.”