Last week, the council considered more than 100 submissions on a coastal roads strategy that suggested closures rather than ratepayers spending up to $6.5 million over 20 years protecting it from coastal erosion.
Almost all the submissions opposed closures, wanting the council to explore options to keep it open as a scenic and tourist route, as well as serving properties along it.
It noted the road also served as a detour for nearby State Highway 1 when it was closed.
The council has now decided not to adopt the draft strategy in the light of those submissions and asked its staff to report back on a way forward to consider further protection work.
It has suggested its assets committee discuss setting up a "think tank" to consider options for protecting the road.
The council also wants the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) to attend an assets committee meeting and discuss options for subsidies for any work carried out on the road.
In its submission on the draft strategy, the NZTA said the draft strategy appeared to have been prepared by the council on the assumption no NZTA funding was available.
"NZTA has never stated this and retains the ability to consider applications on a case-by-case basis," it said.
It agreed some portions could be closed, but said "a more robust approach" needed to be taken with the remainder, including investigating whether they would meet criteria for subsidies.
The draft strategy was prepared by consultants Opus International after erosion in recent years encroached on the route.
The council closed one portion between Gardiner's and Thousand Acre Rds, bypassing it by upgrading and sealing Gardiner's Rd.
The strategy divided the road into seven sections, looking at the threats from coastal erosion, assessing costs to keep them open and then making recommendations on alternatives, which included closing some and providing access by existing inland roads.
