Property owners could provide land in return for rates relief to save the scenic Oamaru to Waianakarua coast road from erosion, a public meeting has heard.
The idea was among several raised at the meeting in Kakanui on Wednesday night.
In other suggestions, volunteers could fill gabion baskets, a landowner could supply rock and farmers could provide earthmoving equipment.
The meeting was organised by a coastal road community group and chaired by one of its six members, Peter Amyes.
There was no doubt most of about 130 people at the meeting wanted the road kept. But Mr Amyes said the issue was cost.
A strategy prepared by the Waitaki District Council last year estimated erosion protection for the most affected 9.5km of about 24km of the road could cost about $2.6 million.
Closing parts of the road when cut by erosion and upgrading Bowalley and McLean Rds as alternative routes could cost about $1 million.
The meeting gave a unanimous mandate to the group to keep investigating ways to keep the road open, then make recommendations to the council within a month.
Recommendations could include engineers analysing alternatives to reduce costs, seeking funding from the New Zealand Transport Agency, talking with landowners about shifting parts of the route, and identifying residents, contractors and suppliers who may be prepared to help with work.
Waitaki Mayor Gary Mr Kircher welcomed the timetable, saying decisions had ''to be made soon'' before there was more damage to the road.
''I know you are passionate about this issue, you have demonstrated that by your attendance tonight,'' he told people at the meeting.
''But there are always two sides to the story and, as a council, we have to take account of that.''
Farmer Roger Fox was not worried about the road ''coming and going'' because of erosion, but the fact ''if it goes'' was that it would never be reinstated.
Bowalley Rd resident Alan Gibson questioned the road's safety and McLeans Rd as alternative access.
He said the narrow Bowalley Rd had ''14 potential hazard sites''.
Another Kakanui resident said the coast road was an asset, an extension to tourist attractions in Oamaru.
Former councillor Kevin Malcolm said the coastal road was ''incredible'' and erosion work could be done cost-effectively .
''We can't lose that stretch of road,'' he said.
Another resident said people also had to decide what sort of road they wanted before finding solutions.
For example, was a two-lane 100kmh road needed?But a suggestion motorists pay a toll met with: ''Forget it''.
