A petition has been created to save a controversial Te Mata Peak track which is set to be removed before it even opened.
Craggy Range announced on Saturday that it would be its removing its $300,000 walking track up the eastern slope of Te Mata Peak after an outcry from Ngati Kahungunu Inc and members of the public.
Following discussions with iwi representatives and other concerned groups, Craggy Range chief executive Michael Wilding said the track would be removed and the land restored and returned to the previous owner.
However, many others are opposed to this idea and a petition created by Waimarama resident Bex McNeur to save the track has reached more than 1700 signatures.
Ms McNeur said she created the petition because the removal of the track is not an easy fix and it is a walkway that should be enjoyed now that it has been created.
"No one minds that big mansions creep up the other side of the peak yet they protest a walking track," she said
"I'm not trying to go against our local iwi, I can fully understand and appreciate where they are coming from.
"Now that it's done...let's just look at the gift that's been given."
The petition states that the track and the Peabody family (who own Craggy Range) have been vilified.
"To remove the track will create a bigger scar," it said.
"This temporary scar in the landscape will hardly be visible in several months' time...so is no different than someone setting the landscape of the Peak on fire which happens almost every year."
Tourists Cat Hooper and Jack Morphet, from the United Kingdom, walked up the track on Saturday during a brief visit to Hawke's Bay.
Mr Morphet said he found the walk to be scenic and he thought the removal of the track was a harsh decision.
"I can see both sides of the story...but the track seems nice ot me. It's very well done."
James Williams, who has lived across the Tukituki River from Te Mata Peak for 60 years, said he was initially horrified and concerned when he saw the track being created.
"What has been put up there is obviously inappropriate, at present it is like an open wound that hasn't had a chance to heal," he said.
"What you see at present is a raw, shingle-covered construction site."
However, he was up Te Mata Peak on Saturday and decided to walk down it to see what it was like and found it a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
"It is potentially a real asset for Hawke's Bay and Te Mata Peak," Mr Williams said.
"The track looks terrible at the moment but it wouldn't stay like that and could be made to be less conspicuous, relatively cheaply, by changing the surface material or by covering the track with top soil, softening the profile and hydro-seeding with the current native grasses.
"The damage has been done. The sub-soil and rocks have been dug out, it will be virtually impossible to return it to its original state."
All affected parties, including the local iwi, should sit around the table and think creatively in an attempt to move forward positively "in a constructive manner that works for all and do something that could be an advantage for future generations", Mr Williams said.
Mr Wilding previously said the decision to remove the track, despite support, is a balance and is in the best interests of the entire community.
The track was due to open early next year.