A Wellington City Councillor is questioning why all ratepayers should pay for sea walls that protect only a small number of homeowners.
The issue is being canvassed as part of the region's 10-year plan and comes after the completion of a $1 million dollar sea wall along the capital's south coast.
The sea wall was built following damage from a 2013 storm.
Wellington Councillor David Lee says costs for maintaining the wall will only get more expensive.
"Who should pay? Should it be socialised, so everyone pays, or should it be targeted cost so a portion of it is paid by the beneficiaries," Mr Lee said.
"The money has to come from somewhere, and if it comes from somewhere it could be at the cost of reducing services."
The wall itself only stretches across 150 metres of the coast, which means more will likely need to be built to protect more properties by the sea.
Scott Barrett owns a nearby cafe, he says the council should be paying for coastal defences.
"They're protecting their own infrastructure, their roads, houses, businesses, you know my feeling is - I pay rates like everyone else does. It's part of protecting and looking after their city."
Climate change scientist, Professor Tim Naish, says it will need a combination of funding.
"The cost is going to have to be shared between communities, individuals, local government and government," Professor Naish said.
The council wants to hear peoples' thoughts on the issue as part of its 10 year plan, with submissions closing next Tuesday.
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