By WAYNE THOMPSON
Large slices of Auckland City's most popular beaches are likely to be reserved for swimmers this summer - in response to safety risks posed by jetskis, sailboards and runabouts.
The Auckland Regional Council, which manages water safety and navigation, is considering making St Heliers and Kohimarama beaches a haven for swimmers.
Yesterday, Okahu Bay and Mission Bay along with their western counterpart Pt Chevalier were added to the list by the Auckland City Council.
"We have people swimming about in the same waters as container ships," said city councillor Juliet Yates, who chairs the planning and regulatory committee.
"Swimmers are just dots in the water and hard to see. It's common sense for them to have their own areas.
"These beaches are used by thousands of people - some are tourists who expect safe swimming areas, because they have them overseas."
Mrs Yates said her plan excluded vessels from swimming-only areas but they could use another part of that beach, including boat ramps.
Kohimarama has an area marked with buoys for the safety of its legion of year-round swimmers.
The ARC has relied on the cooperation of boaties rather than legal weight. But a change to the Local Government Act now allows it to designate such areas as havens within its bylaws and impose $500 fines on errant boaties.
Auckland harbourmaster James McPetrie said the city council's proposals would be considered along with ones to keep jetskis out of Judges Bay and the Panmure Basin.
Rodney harbourmaster Peter Olsen said there were no plans to seek swimmers' havens at Orewa Beach and the Mahurangi Peninsula.
Swimmers-only plan at beaches
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.