Life jackets could become compulsory for anyone in small boats on Canterbury waterways under a review of navigation bylaws planned by Environment Canterbury (ECan).
The move, which mirrors what may happen nationally, would apply to anyone on boats under 6m (19.6 feet) long, including on the Waitaki lakes and rivers.
There could also be major changes to bylaws governing boats on Lakes Middleton, next to Lake Ohau, and Lake Ruataniwha, at Twizel.
ECan introduced the Canterbury navigation bylaws in 2005 and its commissioners are now being asked to approve a full review, advertising it on July 3 and calling for public submissions by August 13.
Senior planner Ruth Littlewood, in a report for the ECan commissioners' meeting tomorrow, said progress had already been made in reviewing the bylaws and the commissioners were being asked to approve the formal public consultation process.
Bylaws had to be reviewed within five years of coming into force.
Some work had already been done in relation to Lakes Middleton and Ruataniwha, both popular and crowded during the summer holidays.
"Invitations to comment" had been sent to about 100 interested parties and the wider community.
Comment was also sought through ECan's magazine, distributed to about 160,000 households.
One issue the review needed to address was the proposed national rule requiring compulsory wearing of life jackets on boats less than 6m in length.
The present bylaw stipulates one suitable life-jacket per person must be on board any boat and every child under 10 years must wear a suitable life-jacket when on boats less than five metres long.
