Doc South Island director of operations Aaron Fleming said the original plans for better parking to service the Blue Pools had to be reviewed because of the ``rapidly changing visitor patterns along the Haast highway''.
He said the NZ Transport Authority, with the support of Doc, was redesigning the parking facilities and new Doc toilets would be installed during the construction of the car park.
``We are working with the NZTA to re-examine our options so we can determine what will best suit the needs of the site for the foreseeable future.
NZTA could not be contacted for a date when construction would start.
The Blue Pools are accessed via an easy 1km track that starts at the car park on SH6 near Makarora just north of Muddy Creek and leads to a swing bridge overlooking the pools at the mouth of Blue River.
On recent hot days the pools have attracted hundreds of visitors, some of whom have reportedly ignored maximum capacity signs on the two swing bridges by twice the recommended limit.
Mr Fleming said rangers would be out this season at local hot spots, including the Blue Pools, most days of the week, ``but it's important to acknowledge that responsibility for these experiences can sit with multiple agencies, not just with Doc, and, most importantly, with the walkers themselves''.
``The department can provide users with the information necessary to keep them safe, but ultimately it is up to individuals to use the information wisely and take responsibility for their own safety.
``It is not feasible to expect a Doc ranger be placed at bridges and safety barriers across the country and it is actually not desirable for a number of reasons, most importantly because it stops people from using their own judgement and sense when in the outdoors.''
