The decision on the fate of the Hunters Creek ski lanes will be known later this month.
The Navigation Safety Bylaw Review tribunal have heard all the submissions, and the deliberations process is about to begin says chairman Malcolm Whitaker.
'We are going to be deliberating near the end of the month now because the officer who prepared the submissions has to go back and do some work,” says Malcolm.



'Basically we go through all the submissions and make sure everyone is happy with the decisions we make about what people submitted on.
'Preferably we get all three councillors to agree, and if not we might need to work on it again, so it can take a bit of time.
'Who knows how long it will take, we don't want to rush it. There are some important decisions to make about this. We have decided we will get it as right as we can.”
Tribunal member councillor Raewyn Bennett will not be taking part in the part of the Hunters Creek deliberations to do with the submission made on the ski lanes by her daughter on behalf of Tauwhao ki Motiti and Nga tangata Ahi Kaa Roa o Maketu.
'She will probably leave and the other commissioners will deliberate on that,” says Malcolm.
Harbour warden Barry Benton wanted her off the sub committee altogether, but was over ruled at the Tauranga hearing. He sent SunLive a copy of an email from Environment BOP chief executive Bill Bayfield saying he had taken legal advice and the steps taken resolved any conflict of interest and it would not be necessary for Raewyn to stand down from the committee.
When she was asked if the whole Hunters Creek campaign was her idea, Raewyn Bennet refused to comment.
'It is not appropriate for me to comment while the process is still happening,” says Raewyn.
'I can't say anything I'm afraid.”
Sixty people, mostly Maori attended the Tauranga hearing in August, seeking the removal of the ski lanes in Hunters Creek.
The ski lanes, which have been there for about 30 years, are opposed mainly on safety issues.
They say the ongoing increase in the use of the area by a variety of small craft makes it increasingly dangerous for water skiers to compete for 'boat space” in a relatively confined area.
There is also a list of complaints about bad manners by water skiers both on and off the water.
There are concerns about water skiers operating outside designated areas, and speeding close to shore. Rubbish, theft of petrol, fires, and use of the islands as toilets by people and animals are among the list of complaints.
Regional councillor Andrew von Dadelszen is the third tribunal member.