Resolved PR/2019/033

That the Planning and Regulatory Committee

1.       Receives and accepts an apology from Ms G Paine.

McGurk/Barker                                                                                 Carried

Mr Rob Greenaway spoke to his submission. He said that he felt that it was unfortunate that Councils developed navigation safety bylaws separately and that they should be done at a national level. He felt that consistency across catchment areas was sensible. Mr Greenaway questioned whether there was a structural reason that consistency could not be achieved across the top of the South and said that he felt that the Minister of Transport should be pushing this issue.

In response to questions, Mr Greenaway said that he would be nervous about making changes to the bylaw without sitting down immediately to see how Tasman and Marlborough felt about those changes. He felt that a complete review should be undertaken now. He reiterated the need for consistency.

Mr Richard Barnett provided a PowerPoint presentation and spoke to the key issues of the submission, which focused on boat safety in recreational boating, particularly the wearing of life jackets, and appropriate communication devices.

Mr Barnett answered questions regarding standardisation of rules and bylaws and the wearing of life jackets. He noted the reluctance of central government to make wearing life jackets compulsory and that it was a political process.

Attachments

1    A2238829 - Richard Barnett PowerPoint presentation

Mr Andrew Harding spoke to the Club’s submission. He noted that he had 50 to 60 years’ experience on boats, and was the Commodore of the Tasman Bay Cruising Club.  Mr Harding spoke of concerns with the laying of markers for yacht racing, and said that club members were asking what the problem was and what was driving this aspect of the bylaw. He felt there had been no issues with markers, which were set in a triangle shape for two to three hours for racing and then removed. The markers were easily seen, and not there overnight. He questioned why it should be necessary to report to the Harbourmaster every time they were put into the water. The Club’s submission suggested an annual consultation, with the Harbourmaster being provided with the racing programme for the year,  noting that the programme was weather dependent.

Mr Harding answered questions regarding the markers and clarified that the main problem was having to ask the Harbourmaster for permission to lay buoys at the time. He suggested providing a monthly programme and a weekly email to the Harbourmaster.

Attendance: Councillor Acland left the meeting at 9.34a.m.

A suggestion was made that the bylaw specify periods of time for marker buoys, with permission being required for those being there for longer than a specified period of time. It was clarified that there were a significant number of different navigation buoys as part of the international system, these were significantly different from the racing buoys.

Mr Ian Gardiner tabled an updated submission, provided a PowerPoint presentation and spoke to the submission. He noted that Yachting New Zealand (YNZ) was supportive of:

·        the wearing of lifejackets, but not when on a pontoon, suggesting the addition of ‘while underway’

·        two forms of communication to be carried on vessels

YNZ was not supportive of:

·        the registering of boats, as there were other systems in place

·        the placing of marker buoys requiring the permission of the Harbourmaster,  suggesting simplification of the wording

·        the changes relating to towing

Attendance: Councillor Acland returned to the meeting at 9.43a.m.

Mr Gardiner answered questions regarding skipper discretion and the addition of the words ‘while underway’, towing rules, boat length and vessel registration.

Attachments

1    A2239558 - additional tabled information

2    A2239085 - Ian Gardiner PowerPoint presentation