Community Pushes for Restoration of Ōhope Beach Walkway

About 100 supporters gathered at the Whakatāne District Council chambers on Wednesday, advocating for the restoration of the iconic West End walkway at Ōhope Beach. This demonstration aimed to rally support for a proposal by local residents Austin Oliver and Angus Robson, who seek permission for volunteers to undertake repairs on the walkway, which has been closed for four years due to landslips.

The meeting was so well-attended that a second room with video and audio links to the chambers was opened to accommodate additional supporters. The section of the Ngā Tapuwae o Toi walkway, which connects Otarawairere Bay to West End, remains inaccessible, preventing access to one of the area’s popular scenic spots.

Oliver and Robson have engaged with the council for over a year regarding their proposal, estimating that the volunteer-led initiative could cost approximately $45,000, which is about one-tenth of the $451,000 allocated to the council through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Tourism Infrastructure Fund for the track’s repair.

Robson expressed frustration over the council’s health and safety concerns, stating, “What we are getting is officers of the council saying volunteers can’t do it because of health and safety.” He urged the council to remove liability fears as a barrier to community projects. Oliver noted, “We wish to work with the council to resolve this issue in a safe and practical manner,” highlighting the strong community backing they have received.

The council’s reluctance to engage volunteers has prompted Robson to investigate the impact of health and safety regulations on community projects across New Zealand. He remarked, “If we follow health and safety protocols, there’s no more risk to the council than if contractors did the work.” Robson emphasized the potential savings for the community and the positive engagement fostered through volunteer participation.

Rangitaiki ward councillor Gavin Dennis acknowledged the value of community partnerships with the council but referenced the legal consequences faced by others in similar situations. He cited the case of helicopter pilot Mark Law, who faced charges from WorkSafe after rescuing individuals during the 2019 Whakaari eruption, as an example of the legal complexities surrounding volunteer-led projects.

Robson has consulted with WorkSafe and leading health and safety lawyers, stating, “I think everyone learned something from the Whakaari eruption, including WorkSafe.” He also pointed out that the Department of Conservation has successfully worked with volunteers to maintain walking tracks when funding was insufficient, suggesting that the Whakatāne council could pursue a similar approach.

During the meeting, Robson presented a petition signed by 500 community members supporting the restoration project. He noted that this was just the initial group of people approached and stated, “So far we have received almost 100 percent community support.” Many signatories offered to contribute financially or provide hands-on assistance with the project.

Oliver acknowledged the significance of the area, respecting the cultural heritage of the Ngāti Awa and Ngāti Hokopu. Maori ward councillor Toni Boynton emphasized the historical importance of the location, which is associated with the ancient pa of Toi, a key site in Māori civilization.

Council mayor Nandor Tanczos confirmed that a decision regarding the proposal would be made in the new year, pending engineering reports and other relevant documents. “Those reports will then be released to the public,” he added.

Alexandra Pickles, the council’s community experience general manager, stated that while the council has not ruled out volunteer involvement, the complexities of landslip remediation in a high-risk area necessitate strict adherence to health and safety obligations. She noted, “If volunteers wish to be considered as part of the solution, they will need to go through the standard procurement process alongside other options once the council determines its preferred reinstatement approach.”

The community’s passionate appeal underscores the desire for local engagement in restoring vital public spaces, reflecting a broader conversation about the role of volunteers in maintaining community infrastructure.