The road has been closed since construction of Dunedin's $37 million outfall pipe began in late 2006.
The pipe was commissioned in January, but Dunedin City Council parks and reserves team leader Martin Thompson last month confirmed a gate blocking the road would be retained until a long-term Ocean Beach management plan was completed.
That process was expected to take "several years", but the move followed a decision of the council's community development committee last July, he said.
The long-term closure plans have prompted public opposition, including many letters to the Otago Daily Times editor.
Cr John Bezett took issue with Mr Thompson's claim at yesterday's community development committee, arguing councillors had not intended to authorise the closure of the road for years.
Cr Michael Guest called for a report from council staff to the next community development committee meeting, containing an option allowing the reopening of the road to be discussed.
Cr Richard Walls said the resolution last July related only to work on the draft management plan for the area. There had been no mention of keeping the road closed "indefinitely", he said.
Council community and recreation services manager Mick Reece defended the closure, saying "a lot of big issues" to be considered in the Ocean Beach area included the management plan and data collection for erosion protection work.
It made sense to restrict motorists' access until the "sequence of events" was worked through, to avoid adding further complexity to work being done in the area, he said.
Comments the road would be closed for years were an attempt to "try not to create expectations, although it will create disappointment with some people", he said.
"We realistically couldn't promise it would be less than 18 months to two years," he said.
Last month, the ODT reported a study of wildlife in the area showed more activity - particularly in sea lions - since the disturbance from vehicles had reduced.
In January last year, Dunedin psychiatrist Dr Keren Skegg told councillors the number of people committing suicide by jumping from the cliff at Lawyers Head had dramatically reduced since access had been restricted.
John Wilson Ocean Dr
• Scenic drive (seen above in 2008) alongside Dunedin's St Kilda beach to Lawyers Head.
• Closed in late 2006 to allow construction of the city's new 1.1km outfall pipe, now completed.
• Council staff say road to remain closed for "several years", until Ocean Beach management plan and beach erosion data gathering complete.
• Cr John Bezett yesterday called for the decision to be reconsidered; Cr Michael Guest said the reopening of the road should be debated at next month's committee meeting.
