A new boating and marine activity policy that changes the sites for commercial companies and water-skiers operating from the beach in Roys Bay has been approved by the Wanaka Community Board.
The policy is designed to meet greater demand for activities on Lake Wanaka that do not involve powered craft.
It will be the subject of public submissions and a hearing before it is approved by the Queenstown Lakes District Council.
Three zones for activities have been created and a ski lane will be reduced from 230m to 140m and shifted 70m to the west.
The policy also creates a new zone for passive recreation, between the western edge of Lakeland Adventures and Helwick St, where no commercial activities can operate.
The existing policy has two zones. It provides for concessions for four powered activities in zone 2 between the ski poles.
Another two non-powered activities are permitted in zone 1, between Lakeland Adventures and the eastern ski pole.
A report by Lakes Property Services manager Joanne Conroy to the board said the amendments were suggested after the QLDC began requiring unlicensed operators to apply for licences and new operators wanted to start up a business.
Existing licence holder Wanaka Yacht Charters complained that newly-licensed Wanaka Kayaks had been given a more favourable space.
Board members, council staff and commercial operators were involved in the changes.
