Whakatāne Mayor Victor Luca has suggested alternative sources of funding, possibly even crowdfunding, need to be explored if the West End section of Ngā Tapuwae o Toi Walkway is ever to be reinstated.

He summarised the work being carried out on the track in this month’s mayoral report, included in the agenda of yesterday’s Whakatāne District Council meeting.

Dr Luca said he had recently fielded several inquiries about the track, so decided to address the issue.

He said a quantitative landslide risk assessment report was in development by engineering consultants Tonkin + Taylor.

“The report will inform [the council] of the potential loss of life risk to users from landslide hazard on the existing track route and a proposed alternate route, to support decision making on the future of this section of walkway.

“Funds of $451,000 have been allocated through the Tourism Infrastructure Fund. Staff are seeking confirmation of the availability of those funds beyond August 2025 as originally committed to.

He noted  the current Government had now closed the fund and that early cost estimates were likely to exceed the funding currently available.

"Other sources of funding need to be explored, including crowdfunding.”

At the meeting, deputy mayor Lesley Immink thanked him for the report as she and several other councillors had also been fielding questions about the track.

Community experience general manager Alexandra Pickles confirmed the council had received assurances last week that the Tourism Infrastructure Fund money was being held for the council, “indefinitely at this point”.