"Rules targeting the way marine pests are spread give us a much more proactive and cost-effective approach. It'll mean that instead of simply responding to arrivals we can actively prevent them," he said.
The pathways plan would largely be implemented via the council's existing marine biosecurity hull checks programme, but the council's wider programme to stop the spread of marine pests had expanded rapidly over the last five years, and the council was now weighing up the fairest way to pay for that.
"The reality is that movement of hull-fouled boats is the main way marine pests are spread, so boats are the core focus of our marine biosecurity work. While nothing is set in stone at this stage, and I really can't stress that point hard enough, we're also seriously considering whether a boat-focused user pays type charge might be a fairer option to pay for it."
The council's navigation safety bylaw also needed updating, partially to ensure better alignment with Auckland rules, but those were just some of the issues being consulted on.
The council is producing an eight-page edition of its Regional Report newsletter,to be delivered to more than 60,000 properties region-wide.
'Drop-in' sessions were also planned for Mangonui, Waitangi and Whangarei.
All the relevant documents, and a comprehensive range of supporting information, is available here.