2023 Kaituna River Speed Uplifting Option One
Status Quo (Current Situation)
Keep the speed uplifting: “Areas subject to speed uplifting: All navigable waters of the Kaituna River upstream of the Bell Road boat ramp to Mangorewa confluence”.
Final decision
Option 2 was adopted in the new Navigation Safety Bylaws. This means that designated swimming areas have been introduced, where watercraft must not exceed 5 knots. The updated Bay of Plenty Navigation Safety Bylaws will come into effect in mid-2025, but the Harbourmaster is looking at interim measures for ensuring navigation safety in this area over this summer.
Kaituna River Speed Uplifting background
At the moment, there are speed uplifting rules for watercraft on the Kaituna River downstream of the Mangorewa confluence to the Bell Road boat ramp, which means there is no speed limits for this stretch of water. From the Bell Road boat ramp to the river mouth there is a 20-knot speed limit., Safety concerns have been raised by communities who swim within this reach of the river. We asked for feedback on removing the speed uplifting rule from the lower Kaituna River.
Take a look at the options we asked for feedback on below.
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2023 Kaituna River Speed Uplifting Option Two
Introduce designated swimming area ie watercraft must not exceed 5 knots.
Identify popular swimming areas as permanent swimming areas, where vessels must go 5 knots in the most direct route through the area.
2023 Kaituna River Speed Uplifting Option Three
Remove the speed uplifting from the entire river.
Apply the 5 knot rule to the entire river. There would be no Option 3 clauses as all standard speed rules would apply and the river would not be identified as having a speed uplifting.
2023 Kaituna River Speed Uplifting Option Four
Remove Speed Uplifting on lower river (from river mouth to Mangorewa River confluence).
Apply the 5 knot rule to the lower Kaituna River, leaving the upper Kaituna speed uplifting in place for consented commercial operations (currently not in operation).
