Looking North to the top of the HunterThe Hunter Valley (here in New Zealand) is a very special place. It is a pristine piece of back-country wilderness through which the Hunter River Flows.
The Valley is about as beautiful, serene and peaceful as it gets in New Zealand and is enjoyed by Anglers, Hikers, Mountain Bikers and Hunters.
The 'Hunter' is also the main spawning tributary for Brown and Rainbow Trout and Chinook Salmon from Lake Hawea
For many years jet boats have not been allowed to travel up and down the river valley, which after-all, the vast majority of recreational users would say, was a good thing. Particularly during the low water levels of summer, when users - particularly anglers, are on and in the river.
Mid summer on the Hunter below Fergusons
For many years various Jet Boat clubs have lobbied our local authority (..OK, one in particular) to have jet boat restrictions on the Hunter lifted. Until recently they have been unsuccessful... (After-all, why would you spoil a peaceful piece of pristine wilderness enjoyed by many outdoor users by letting Jet Boats tear up and down it?)It's important to note that boats (of any sort) are not 'banned' from the Hunter River - There is however a 5 knot speed restriction in the valley. This speed restriction is common to many of our waterways and is primarily implemented as a safety measure- Although it certainly helps with the adverse effects caused by boat wakes and noise.
...Recently (very) Marty Black (Harbourmaster Queenstown Lakes District Council) proposed to lift this ban. The reason cited was to allow this same club to conduct 'training days' ...which is strange enough in itself - but hang onto your shorts - the story gets even stranger ... and more suspect...
The dates for these 'training days' were February 28th, 1, 7, 8, 14, 15th March 2009 - here's the press release on the QLDC website
We'd all agree that training days are a good thing, particularly given recent boating accidents in the region. However, you'd have to wonder why they would be held in the height of summer for 6 non- consecutive days - read weekends - on a river that previously did not allow Jet boating.
...AND given that there are plenty of options open to Jet boaters in the area. ...In wilderness areas ....very similar to the Hunter.
Moreover, it strikes as more than a passing coincidence that these 'training days' are being held on a river that one particular Jet Boating club has long lobbied to get access to.
From their website:
"THE HUNTER RIVER
| Written by admin | |
| Wednesday, 28 February 2007 |
Although the QLDC plan does allow boating between 1 Nov and 30 April PLEASE NOTE speeds must not exceed 5 knots. It is not possible to enter the river or boat some sections at this speed. Exec hope to negotiate a more satisfactory solution with QLDC - but this is likely to take time"
(Emphasis ours~Admin)
A more satisfactory solution!?
Jet Boaters already have access to the two main wilderness tributaries of neighboring lake Wanaka. (the Matukituki and Makarora Rivers)... AND both lakes Wanaka and Hawea - that's a lot of water to play in.
Strange that these 'training days' had to be held on the Hunter - water that had restricted access and that one particular club had already openly stated that they wished to have open access "a more satisfactory solution"
You'd have to ask why aren't these 'Training days' held on backcountry rivers which are already open to Jet Boats?
It would appear that these 'training days' are nothing more than a pathetically veiled excuse to allow Jet boats up a previously restricted wilderness river - nothing more, nothing less.
Mandate?
How did Marty Black and the QLDC achieve a mandate to lift Jet boating restrictions on the Hunter river?
Simple answer - they didn't!
The proposition was put to a meeting of the Wanaka Community Board and Fish and Game Otago. The meeting and the date of which were poorly publicised and left very little notice for potential attendees - You could almost say "it was slipped under the radar"
The Community board voted overwhelmingly to retain the Jet boat restrictions on the Hunter. Fish and Game voted the same.
Most would have thought that this result was pretty conclusive - Local reporter Aimee Wilson certainly did:
No jet boats on Hunter River
AIMEE WILSON in Wanaka - The Southland Times
Last updated 23:22 18/02/2009
Jet boaters have lost the battle to lift speed restrictions on the Hunter River, preventing them accessing one of the country's pristine wilderness areas.
Representatives from Jet Boating New Zealand and Fish and Game Otago presented submissions to the Wanaka Community Board on Tuesday but after years of debate, the decision was made to retain the status quo 5-knot speed limit.
Here's google's cache of the article
Fish and Game and the Wanaka Community Board represent many thousands of effected users in the district.
And yet, Marty Black and the QLDC proceeded to lift the boating restrictions.
But wait, there's more!...
In order to partake in these strange and mystical training days - that could only take place on the Hunter River - you had to be a member of a particular Club.
GUESS WICH ONE! - Correctomundo! - It is the same club that wanted a 'more satisfactory solution'
That same Club promotes these training events on their website and clearly states that "People are most welcome to sign up (for membership) on the day"
...Smell a rat?
The continuing saga...
So, notification was posted in the Otago Daily times of the aforementioned 'training event' - it was posted the Friday before the first session was due to take place. I.e very late notice. So little notice in fact that other users could do little about this let-alone change their plans if they wished to do so.
You could almost say "it was slipped under the radar"
The run-holder was also notified - the day before. You could almost say "it was slipped under the radar"
AND THERE WERE PROBLEMS - ODT newspaper article "Dangerous antics of Jet-boaters cited"
Quote from QLDC CEO, Duncan Field - "There may have been other Jet boaters up there that were not part of the event" - wishfull thinking on the part of Mr Field?
This is hilarious! - Mr Field has obviously missed the point.
This happened on the first weekend that restrictions were lifted and Jet boats allowed up the river.
This report clearly shows that Jet boats are incompatible with other river users.
You would think that the Harbourmaster and QLDC would impose restrictions on a river that had seen this sort of incident - the first time out. In-fact you'd really have to wonder why they were lifted in the first place.
Not against Jet Boaters
..Just Jet Boats up the Hunter. If Jet Boat owners would like to enjoy the Hunter Valley, why couldn't they leave their boats at the mouth and get out there and enjoy it with the rest of us.
The point of all this?
In short:
Duncan Field (the CEO at the QLDC) and the QLDC caved into lobby pressure by a minority interest group. They did not have the testicular fortitude to address the situation correctly; primarily because they knew that given proper procedure there would be public objection - as there has been in the past. They instead used a contrived excuse to lift speed restrictions and attempt to pull the wool over the publics eyes.
- The full story hasn't been told
- Jet boating restrictions on the Hunter river should never have been lifted by QLDC. There is an ample sufficiency of waterways, backcountry and otherwise, that can be used by Jet-boaters already.
- The Harbourmaster and QLDC had no mandate to lift existing restrictions, they acted against the clear recommendations of organizations that represent the vast majority of users.
- The reason given by the QLDC's to lift Jet Boating restrictions on the Hunter River is a farce.
- We wish to send a clear message to the QLDC and their Harbourmaster that these actions are unacceptable.
What to do?
SIGN THE PETITION
WRITE TO YOUR COUNCILORS
WRITE TO THE QLDC
WRITE TO THE HARBOR MASTER
WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR
