Boat Parade – Say NO to Banning Powered Boats on Kai Iwi Lakes

That is one of the messages the Friends of Kai Iwi Lakes working group want to send to the Kaipara District Council (KDC) with a peaceful towed boat protest that is planned for Victoria Street, Dargaville on Tuesday 9th February. The parade will be held at 11.30am.

The parade is designed to raise awareness, among the boating community, the wider public who use the lakes at Taharoa Domain and the local business community, of the proposed changes that are outlined in the KDC Draft Kai Iwi Lakes (Taharoa Domain) Reserve Management Plan 2015.

Approximately 50 boats have registered to participate in the parade so far. If you would like to join the parade contact Colin Rowse Mob.027 276 4480.

Friends of Kai Iwi Lakes are a group of people who have come together to oppose a number of changes which are not very popular with both locals and visitors to the Lakes. These changes have been proposed in the Kaipara District Council Draft Kai Iwi Lakes (Taharoa Domain) Management Plan 2015.

“The banning of powered boats are not the only changes proposed in the Draft Reserve Management Plan that we don’t agree with,” says working group spokesperson Rob Stevenson.

“There are a number of proposals that simply lack any robust information and evidence to support what is planned.”

Stevenson goes on to say, “we are appalled that KDC has not considered the economic impact on the district in the draft plan. Local businesses are telling us they will be negatively affected and may not survive if some of these changes are implemented.”

Further to the proposal to ban powered boats by 2018, KDC proposes, the closure of the very popular Promenade Point campground, extensive development and extending Pine Beach campground. As well as work towards stopping the release of trout fingerlings into Lake Taharoa and Lake Waikare to protect the native fish (Dune Lake Galaxias). Research shows that Trout control the introduced Gambusia (mosquito fish) and give the native fish, a more viable chance of survival .

As part of the review of the Draft Management Plan KDC discovered that the bylaw covering boating activities on the Kai Iwi Lakes had lapsed. During the last 4 years powered boats have technically been operating under the old rules, to no ill effect.

Currently boating activity comes under the authority of Maritime New Zealand and Maritime Rules Part 91 – Navigation Safety Rules. That means that boats must travel under 5 knots within 200metres of the shore. Lake Waikere is less than 200metres wide at its narrowest point and no more than 400metres at its widest point, which has effectively shut down water skiing due to its size.

As a result all competitions organized by the Kai Iwi Lakes Water Ski Club for 2016 have had to be cancelled. Kai Iwi Lakes Water Ski Club has been producing passionate and talented local and National Champions since 1968.

The Draft Kai Iwi Lakes (Taharoa Domain) Management Plan 2015 is open for public consultation, submissions close 22 March 2016 at 4.30pm.

A Friends of Kai Iwi Lakes Facebook page has been created to offer information and help people through the process and within days had over 3000 members.

If you would like help with a submission go to www.kaiiwilakes.nz or https://www.facebook.com/groups/kaiiwilakes/

ENDS

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