The comments came during a Wānaka-Upper Clutha Community Board meeting where staff from the Queenstown Lakes District Council were also questioned over the proposed removal of several ski lanes from Lake Wānaka.
The council was seeking the board’s feedback on a review of its Navigation Safety Bylaw 2018, which regulates waterway matters such as vessel and lifejacket usage, recreational activity and mooring placement.
While the review document presented to the board showed council staff’s preferred option at Albert Town Bridge was to add "vessel traffic lanes" to separate boats and swimmers, other options included enabling the harbourmaster to restrict bridge jumping at their discretion, or ban swimming around the bridge entirely.
Queenstown Lakes deputy mayor Quentin Smith said he believed the council was "micromanaging a situation that doesn’t really exist".
Two commercial operators and the harbourmaster were the only vessel operators permitted to use that section of the river and could be easily managed, while more value needed to be placed on "calculated risk-taking in our youth", Mr Smith said.
Any attempt at restricting access further would likely generate a negative response from the community.
"Last time that this came up we’ve seen enormous kickback from this and I think it’s an unnecessary door to open," he said.
In 2019, NZTA Waka Kotahi temporarily installed "no jumping" signs on the bridge following several incidents that summer.
The review also proposed the removal of "some problematic ski lanes" including those at Eely Point and Waterfall Creek.
Board member Cody Tucker said the council could expect a lot of pushback over removing the lanes, and worried the action would simply increase the risk of non-compliance without improving safety.
Mr Smith agreed. He said the two locations were popular for lake users due to the natural shelter they offered from wind.
"I’m a bit reluctant to close ski lanes without providing alternatives or some management."
The draft bylaw is due to be presented to council to endorse for consultation with the community in September.
