A Coastlands community group fear the Keepa Road cycle and footpath is unsafe and have expressed their disappointment at Whakatāne District Council’s neglect of their community.

Piripai Coastlands Beach Collective (PCBC) presented to the council’s living together committee yesterday, seeking improvements to the two-kilometre path, which connects the Coastlands subdivision at Piripai with the Whakatāne township.

The asphalt path was established over 20 years ago and has had little maintenance since.

“It’s not just about a footpath, it’s about whether our people can live and move safely and thrive in our community,” said PCBC member Bex Dakin.

The collective was formed 18 months ago amid what was perceived as “long-standing neglect of the Coastlands area in terms of infrastructure investment, maintenance, and beautification efforts in proportion to the rates collected”.

The group calculates that with over 720 properties in the area; they pay more than $1.5 million in rates annually.

“Yet over the last three years, we have only seen one small footpath maintenance repair job.”

A group survey conducted last year asked residents what key issues were for the area, and the Keepa Road path emerged as the main issue.

“Residents have told us they no longer feel safe cycling to work or allowing their children to bike to school. This has increased local traffic congestion and has potentially reduced the quality of life for many reliant on the one road in and out,” Ms Dakin said.

A Coastlands resident, David Flint, who relies on a motorised scooter to get around because of spine and pelvis injuries told the Beacon that although he enjoyed using the Warren Cole Walkway, getting there from Coastlands was impossible as each bump along Keepa Road caused him pain.

Gay Stewart said she no longer biked along the path because it was too dangerous.

“I’ve spoken to a lot of mums who won’t let their children bike along it anymore.”

Because the path was so bumpy, there was a fear children would ride on the road as it was smoother, which is winding and has an 80kmh speed limit.”

Ms Dakin, who presented to the council alongside fellow PCBC member Christine Watkinson, said her presentation had been well received by the councillors and members of the transportation and infrastructure teams met with them afterwards.

"We got an assurance something would be done,” she said.

She will also be urging people to submit to the council for the speed limit to be lowered to 60kmh.

Council transportation manager Ann-Elise Reynolds said the Keepa Road Improvements Project had been on hold while the council awaited updates on the boat harbour development.

Originally, it had been a joint initiative between New Zealand Transport Agency and the council, with funding shared between both parties. However, the construction phase of the Keepa Road project did not meet the criteria to secure NZTA funding for the 2024–27 period.

“With the boat harbour project no longer proceeding, Waka Kotahi reassessed the previously approved design and property acquisition phases. Unfortunately, the project no longer met the requirements for funding retention.”

She said the council had also considered upgrading the shared path and cycleway as a stand-alone project as part of the 2025-26 Annual Plan, with estimated costs of around $1 million.

“Without external funding, this project would need to be fully funded by the council. Given this, it was not included in the Annual Plan and currently remains on hold until the development of the 2027–2037 Long-Term Plan, where it will be reassessed alongside other transport priorities across the district.”

She said council staff would work with the collective, Whakatāne-Ōhope Community Board, and Bike Whakatāne Trust to continue preparing this for inclusion in the plan.

Councillors have requested an options report be presented to the infrastructure and planning committee for consideration.

“In the meantime, routine maintenance is scheduled for the shared-use path in July. This will be communicated to the community in coming weeks.”

Ms Reynolds said although the Keepa Road speed reduction was not included in the current speed limits consultation round, the community was encouraged to submit their views on a lower speed limit for the road.

These submissions can be included in the current Speed Limit Review consultation, which closes at 5pm on Sunday, June 29.