A Central Otago operator is planning a commercial boat operation on Lake Dunstan and Lake Roxburgh.
McGimpsey Farm Partnership, trading as Central Water Taxi, has applied to operate commercial vessels longer than 6m but no longer than 8m on both lakes.
The application does not state how many boats would be operated, but says the boats would allow up to 20 passengers to be carried on each trip.
It says the Central Otago District Council (CODC) district plan allows the operation of a 6m commercial vessel, but requires an 8m vessel to have a resource consent.
The application says Central Water Taxi will follow the requirements of Maritime New Zealand, with a qualified skipper adhering to both national and CODC regulations.
Commercial vessels longer than 6m already operated on both lakes and were therefore already an ''established use'', the application said.
Vessels of up to 8m increased the safety and comfort of passengers and crew, and had only minor effects on amenity and recreational values and public access, it said.
Submissions on the proposal close on August 9.
