By-laws on Estuary craft given backing

Press, 19 December 1989, Page 7

By-laws on Estuary craft given backing

Christchurch City councillors last evening called for strict enforcement of by-laws in the Estuary and Sumner Bay controlling power craft but shied away from a ban on all motorised craft. A ban on all motorised craft came as a recommendation from a joint meeting of the BurwoodPegasus and Hagley-Ferrymead community boards last week. Councillors did not favour a blanket ban in spite of arguments from opponents of wetbikes in the Estuary and the bay. Mr Andrew Crossland, of the Combined Estuary Association, told councillors jet-skis posed a danger to wildlife in the Estuary. He called for the banning of all motorised craft, except rescue craft. Mr Rupert Glover, of the

Sumner Wetbike Committee, said the machines were a danger in Sumner Bay and the Estuary. He asked the council to find somewhere else for the wetbikes. The council opted to strictly enforce its by-law on jet-skis in Sumner Bay and all other bylaws on craft in the Estuary and seaways under council control. It also decided to pursue details of licensing power craft operators. A project team will look at extending a restricted zone for power craft in the Estuary. Councillors backed the enforcement of by-laws to control :he use of wetbikes and other power craft. Rangers will be supplied with adequate equipment and people for the purpose. Discussions on alternative sites for the jet-skis will continue.