Public views sought on revised Pataua ski area proposal

Public feedback is being sought on a revised proposal to modify Pataua’s two existing ski lanes for a single ‘speed uplifting area’ and restrict high speed activities to a roughly 1.4km long section.

Chidambaram Surendran, the Northland Regional Council’s Deputy Harbourmaster, says Pataua has had two ski lanes – including one on the northern side of the harbour that is seldom used – for a number of years.

“In recent years, council staff and the local harbour warden have become concerned about safety conflicts in this popular harbour due to the increase in all sorts of activities from slow-moving kayakers and swimmers to waterskiers and jetskiers on high speed vessels.”

Mr Surendran says the harbour’s narrow channel and encroaching sandbanks means water users – including those wanting to engage in higher speed activities like jetskiing - are effectively vying for the same limited space.

In a bid to address the conflict, the council had earlier this year during a review of its Navigation Safety Bylaw proposed changing the two existing ski lanes into a single speed uplifting area and suggested restricting high speed activities to a limited location.

Its suggestion was for a defined ‘speed uplifting area’ that started from the existing southern ski lane and followed the channel in a westerly direction for about 1.4 km.

Mr Surendran says the speed uplifting area designation would not mean blanket approval to proceed at high speed.  “Vessel skippers are only allowed to exceed five knots after carefully considering the safety of people on their own vessel and the safety of other people, objects and vessels in the area.”

He says the council had received four submissions opposing its earlier proposal, mainly expressing concern with the actual area designated.

“Based on those submissions, the council put the proposed changes on hold and directed staff to consult further with local community before finalising a safety plan that met local needs.”

After further discussions and a site visit, one submitter had suggested a reduction in the length of the proposed area – from about 1.4km to roughly 700 metres - to keep the high speed activity away from the knolls on the northern side of the estuary.

“This suggested reduction may partly address the safety concerns regarding slower speed water users in this part of the estuary, but would also halve the length of the proposed speed uplifting area.”

Mr Surendran says shortening the area may also cause problems for water-skiers turning at the end of it.  “Also, due to the geography and layout of the harbour, combined with the shallow water, if the area was to be moved further from the shore, then the remaining defined area would lie mostly over sandbanks.”

He says the council has decided to once again seek the public’s feedback.

“Due to the limited options in this narrow harbour, effectively, this now comes down to whether the local community wants to have an area where they can ski or not.  Either way, the status quo isn’t really an option on safety grounds.”

Public comment can be made on the issue from Saturday 06 October until Monday 05 November.  Subject to the outcome of that consultation, any changes could come into force before summer.

Mr Surendran says further information about the proposal will be available from the council’s website from Saturday 06 October via: www.nrc.govt.nz/haveyoursay

He is also happy to discuss the proposed changes further and can be contacted on (0800) 002 004 or emailed via: mailroom@nrc.govt.nz