Property owners affected by the planned Edgecumbe to Thornton cycle path in Bay of Plenty say they fear it'll affect their livelihoods.

Whakatāne District Council secured government funding to build the path along the Rangitaiki River stopbank in December 2022.

The council says it held a meeting to consult with landowners and orchardists in July 2023.

However, dairy farmer Alan Law - whose property the path will traverse - questions whether any landowners have been consulted before funding was applied for.

“They said, ‘no, we’ve spoken to Edgecumbe people and we’ve consulted with iwi’. It doesn’t feel as though the council have any empathy with the landowners or their concerns.

"It feels like they’re using bullying tactics.”

Alan says while cycle tracks are a great idea, there are a range of issues with the plan.

Council strategy and transformation general manager Steven Perdia says extensive work has been done with community groups around a walkway, from Te Teko to Thornton.

This included the Edgecumbe Development and Improvement Team (EDIT), who managed the development of the grass walking track between the Edgecumbe Squash Club and the skatepark, in 2012.

“This has been an aspirational project for the Edgecumbe community since the first community hui was held in 2011 to identify community goals and aspirations,” says Steven.

But kiwifruit growers neighbouring the proposed walkway fear it'll affect their orchards.

Mark Ruiter, who owns one of six orchards that will be affected by the walkway, says there are strict rules around spraying, which, if not followed, means Zespri will not accept their fruit.

“The walkway would make the stopbank a sensitive area, which means I couldn’t spray HiCane within 50 metres of it. Other general sprays the limit would be 30 metres.”

Wayne Checkley, whose lounge windows are about four metres from the stopbank, says livestock grazing the river's edge, to keep weeds under control, is also a concern.

“I’ve got six fences they would have to cross here.”

Alan says an alternative route around his property is being considered, but he has heard it will put the cost of the project outside the $900,000 the council has secured from the Department of Internal Affairs Better Off Funding package.

He's worried any remaining costs will fall to ratepayers.

Other concerns included being held liable for any harm or injury to people using the path from farm machinery, livestock or spraying, and biosecurity risks from dogs being walked.

Work on stage 1, upgrading the existing track from the Edgecumbe Squash and Tennis Club Reserve to the Edgecumbe Skatepark, was expected to happen by May.

“Currently, this trail is unsuitable for bikes, prams and mobility scooters and is in a fairly unkempt state,” says Steven.

“Stages 2 and 3 (passing through West Bank Road properties) are very much in the research phase at this stage, as some of the riverbank is public land and some is private.

"Another option is [a] road reserve, and this is being considered too. We have started individual property meetings to collate issues at a property level."

The fourth and final stage of the Edgecumbe to Thornton cycleway is on the stopbank currently still undergoing flood mitigation work by Bay of Plenty Regional Council. Photo: Troy Baker.

Council wants to work on solutions with the property owners, and draw on experience from other districts where similar issues were raised, such as Hawke's Bay, says Steven.

"All ideas are still in discussion as we go through the details of the orchard owners' concerns.”

Stage 4 is from Thornton Bridge to Thornton Beach, where the stopbank is still undergoing strengthening work by Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

An open day at the Edgecumbe Library is planned for March 20, where the council will welcome feedback.

“We will continue to meet individually with orchard owners as planned and intend to reconvene at the orchardists’ group to discuss options in March,” says Steven.