The Queenstown Lakes District Council said in a statement yesterday it would begin moving abandoned kayaks and other boats from Eely Point Reserve in Wānaka next month.
The council said there had been an increase in the number of abandoned vessels along the Wānaka lakefront from the yacht club around Eely Point to Bremner Bay.
Notices have been placed on vessels in the reserve and following removal, the council’s parks team will be responsible for offsite storage and disposal if they are unclaimed.
“We’ve counted over 90 vessels along this section of the Wānaka lakefront. Many of these are old, appear unused or are potentially abandoned.
"We’d like to take this opportunity to remind people that there is no permanent storage for watercraft on lakeside reserves," council parks manager Dave Winterburn said.
“To ensure our lakefronts can be enjoyed by everyone, we’re asking people to collect their kayaks and boats, as we’re unable to identify what vessels are unused or abandoned."
Mr Winterburn encouraged owners of kayaks, dinghies and other boats in Eely Point Reserve to remove them before action commenced.
“Vessels left on lakeside reserves block access for those enjoying our waterways and restrict the parks team and community groups from undertaking maintenance, pest plant removal, planting and general enhancement of lakeside spaces."
Abandoning them on council reserves is a breach of the Reserves Act.
Removal of vessels is to begin from October 6.
Once they are removed from the reserve, they will be stored for two months. If unclaimed after that, they will be disposed of by the council. — Allied Media
