The long-running debate over the future of the scenic John Wilson Ocean Dr in Dunedin will resume at a two-day public hearing starting in Dunedin today.
The Dunedin City Council's hearings committee - comprising Crs Colin Weatherall (chairman), Bill Acklin and Fliss Butcher - will hear from 38 of the 257 individuals and organisations who made submissions on the future of the road.
The council is considering the submissions as part of a partial review of the Ocean Beach Domain management plan, which governs the area including the coastal road.
After years of debate since the road was closed in late 2006 - and briefly reopened last year - a summary of submissions showed public opinion appeared to be swinging behind the continued road closure to vehicles.
Of the submissions received, 115 wanted the road reopened to allow motorists to use the scenic drive, a report by council community and recreation policy team leader Lisa Wheeler said.
That included 39 submitters who urged the council to consider night closures only - allowing vehicles on to the road during daylight - if restrictions were to remain.
However, 141 submitters backed plans to continue permanently blocking vehicles from using the road, including one which also contained a petition signed by 522 people.
Those wanting the road closed to vehicles saw it as a promenade for pedestrians, cyclists and people using mobility scooters and wheelchairs.
Dunedin police also backed the continued closure for public safety reasons, as did medical experts who argued the continued closure could prevent suicides in the area.
The swing in public support comes after consultation earlier this year attracted 98 public suggestions, of which 78% wanted the road reopened.
Of those, 73% supported closing the gates at night, and one submission contained a petition signed by 271 people, calling for the road to reopen immediately while the debate continued.
The road - which runs alongside St Kilda beach to Lawyers Head - was first closed to vehicles in late 2006, to allow construction of a $37 million, 1.1km treated wastewater outfall pipe.
Following the completion of the pipe, council staff in March last year confirmed the road would remain closed to vehicles while a new long-term Ocean beach management plan was completed over "several years".
That sparked angry opposition, including at least one public protest at the gate, while those in favour of its closure pointed to a wildlife study which showed more activity - particularly by sea lions - since vehicle disturbance was reduced.
Health experts also cited a dramatic reduction in suicides in the area since vehicle access was blocked.
In July last year, councillors voted to reopen the road during daylight hours, but with a new security fence to be built at Lawyers Head.
The following month, councillors changed their minds and sent the issue back to the community development committee for further consideration, after receiving a petition signed by "several hundred people" calling for the road to remain closed.
That led to councillors voting in September for a compromise, opening the road on weekdays during daylight hours, but closing it at weekends and delaying plans for a security fence while a resource consent was sought.
The gates finally swung open to vehicles on September 21 last year, but were closed again just two weeks later - at the instruction of Mayor Peter Chin - following a death at Lawyers Head.
Late last year councillors voted to support a permanent closure to vehicles in a bid to improve public safety.
The move was subject to public consultation, which began in April and would continue with the hearing beginning today.
Changes would be signed off at a council meeting on September 27, but would also require approval from the Minister of Conservation, meaning changes were not expected to be in place until late this year.
