The Waitaki District Council is negotiating with a local couple to establish a campervan park on land in the Oamaru harbour area.
When contacted yesterday, deputy mayor and harbour sub-committee chairman Gary Kircher said the council advertised for expressions of interest earlier this year.
The council was now negotiating with the couple, who had submitted a concept plan of what they proposed.
While he could not elaborate on the details of the proposal, as it was commercially sensitive, the council would make an announcement as soon as it was able, he said.
A campervan park would be "really positive" for the harbour area and it would have spin-offs for businesses.
There would also be positive environmental effects, with those going to the nearby blue penguin colony able to walk there, meaning less traffic on the road, he said.
In an article in the Otago Chamber of Commerce's recent North Otago regional newsletter, the chamber said it believed a campervan park as a foot traffic generator, could prove to be the historic precinct's "knight in shining armour".
The extra foot traffic would encourage a greater level of heritage and retail activity in the area.
Additional value could be created within the area allowing the Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust to raise further funds for building preservation works, it said.