A Waitaki district councillor warned yesterday Moeraki's future was "not looking good".
Reports on the slip have already impacted on property sales as the Waitaki District Council and Earthquake Commission compile reports and grapple with the long-standing problem.
A draft report has identified "hazard areas" in Moeraki, but what impact they will have on the township's future is still being assessed. The council hopes to have more information early next year.
The council has tried to keep Moeraki property owners informed by sending out a letter and hazard map, promising them more information as time goes on.
Chief executive Michael Ross told the committee of the whole yesterday the wider community needed information but the council was not yet in a position to provide all the answers.
"The issue goes to the very heart of our [the council's] property system when people propose activities on their land," he said.
Assets group manager Neil Jorgensen said the council was "in the information gathering stage" and had employed a consultant. That report would enable the council to "find a way forward".
Cr Craig Dawson said: "It's not looking good for the future of Moeraki.
"There is a huge area judged at high risk of subsidence."
However, other councillors urged caution until all the information was available and decisions could be made in consultation with the community.
Cr Geoff Keeling said some Moeraki people did not realise hazard information was recorded on titles and would be available to prospective purchasers through a property's land information memorandum (LIM).
Cr Hugh Perkins said the reports were "quite chilling" and he was also concerned about the council's liability, a view echoed by some other councillors.
Waitaki Mayor Alex Familton emphasised the council was in the middle of a process of gathering information and looking for answers.
Cr Kathy Dennison, who represents the Waihemo ward, of which Moeraki is part, said the issue was having a major impact on local people and their biggest asset, their property - "so it is delicate what we say".
She urged people who "had issues" to put questions in writing to the council so they could be responded to.
