Suzanne Williams

Once again, our controversial Ōtarawairere Bay track is hitting the news. The new unauthorised track apparently hacked out of the face of the slip not only looks extremely dangerous but seems to undermine the cliff-face causing even more danger – and the Beacon article may even encourage foolish walkers to “give it a go”.

I found the logic presented in the article confusing. I attended the meeting at the council chambers in February, coming away with the impression, as stated, that a request had been made by the council committee to community groups to come up with a proposal for repair or re-routing of the track which meets all the challenges of the site, at no cost to the council, as had been offered by the Oliver/Robson volunteer group.

At the meeting, council staff were to be asked also to investigate the possibility of funding availability from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Has this been done? Why not?

Mr Oliver states that the group has commissioned two reports and has received a donation of helicopter use. This is amazing progress, I would have thought; why has a proposal from the group not been presented to the council? Or is it too soon? Injuries or death could result.

Incidentally, it is interesting to note that, on the same Beacon page as the article, Whakatane District Council is inviting applications for funding from the Waterways and Marine Environment General Fund. They close on May 3 – it would have been interesting to try.

I would very much like to hear from the Oliver/Robson Group clarifying the situation for those interested, because from where I’m standing, the proposal ball appears to be in their court.