A West Coast tourism operator is concerned fewer people will visit Hokitika with part of its main attraction being closed.
Instead of fixing the lower suspension bridge in the Hokitika Gorge, Westland District Council has decided to close it, making the picturesque gorge less accessible.
The turquoise waters are postcard perfect and a major drawcard for visitors to the West Coast.
"Absolutely beautiful, it really is," one person described it.
"I think it's the number-one attraction," another added.
However, in October the Hokitika Gorge lower suspension bridge, which provides the easiest access to views of the renowned Hokitika River, will close.
It comes after engineers declared it as structurally unsafe.
"Pretty much unbelievable to think they're closing it because of the bridge," one person said.
"I think Kiwis are iconic at building things like this, I think they should just sort it," a second person commented.
Established in 1933, almost every part of the council-owned bridge has been replaced over the past 90 years.
However, its latest maintenance requirements haven't been fulfilled and despite funding promises of $200,000 the local council has said it's not enough.
"We pay a lot for rates and we expect the council to do their job and do it properly, professionally and really if this was coming up they should have known about it," Stopforth Motel owner and manager Phil Barker said.
Visitors normally start flooding into the Coast from next month.
"Potentially less people will go there because it's not as attractive," Barker said.
There are concerns it could have a flow-on effect for other tourism operators.
In a statement, Westland District Council said it's "acutely aware of the importance of the Hokitika Gorge as a visitor attraction". It added that its decision to close is for visitor safety. And when it does the Department of Conservation will temporarily reroute the walk.
Next month a report will be presented to the council including options for ongoing maintenance, and demolition of the bridge.
Whether that's to make way for a replacement remains to be seen.
The council has just received $150,000 from the Tourism Infrastructure Fund (TIF), along with a $50,000 council contribution. Undertaking the maintenance would only be short-term.
Next month a report will be presented to the council with options for ongoing maintenance, renewals, as well as possible replacement and demolition of the bridge.
In order to stay open past October 2023, the high-priority maintenance works will need to be completed using the TIF funding and council contribution.
The Department of Conservation has spent more than $1.5 million over the past 10 years maintaining the area.
Whether that's to make way for a replacement remains to be seen.
In fact, it's a focus of its tourism campaign.
