Commissioners Calum MacLeod and John MacDonald were hearing submissions on the Queenstown Lakes District Council's proposed amendment to its 2018 navigation safety bylaw in respect of the Clutha River between the outlet of Lake Wanaka and the Red Bridge at Luggate.
The council is proposing new rules for jet-boats and jet skis.
The rules are intended to ensure the safety of ''passive'' river users such as swimmers, paddle boarders and kayakers.
Catherine Rezaei, who lives just downstream of the bridge, said she was ''alarmed'' by the lack of regard towards safety along the 600m of the river downstream of the bridge.
The area was where those who jumped from the bridge drifted to, and more jet-boats were being launched from there.
She called for a five-knot speed restriction.
And, concerned about the noise, Ms Rezaei questioned whether the council was checking boats were displaying acoustic certificates of fitness.
Jet Boating NZ Southland Branch representative Wayne Duffy questioned whether jumping off the bridge was legal.
He pointed out the inconvenience and lack of maneuverability of operating jet-boats at low speed, and he submitted members of his organisation acted responsibly, although he could not vouch for jet ski operators who were not members.
Go Jet operator Patrick Perkins told the hearing his company saved nine members of the public from life-threatening situations in the area in the last two years, including five last summer.
''If we had not been operating on the river we believe all five of those people were at risk of death by drowning.
''This is not a river which should be considered as safe, particularly for swimmers.''
He believed his business would be put in jeopardy by the proposed new rules.
Nathan Weathington, representing the 281 members of the Albert Town Residents' Association, accepted some parts of the proposed amendment and rejected others.
''We continue to plead for year-round removal of powered vessels from the Albert Town bridge to Lake Wanaka.''
The association also believed the same rules should apply to both commercial and private jet-boat operators.
The commissioners will make a recommendation to the council.
