A road and walkway being constructed near Oamaru Harbour is the first step in creating a vibrant public space based around Friendly Bay, a district councillor says.
The extension of Wansbeck St so it linked with Friendly Bay and Holmes Wharf, and the construction of a walkway-cycleway, at a total cost of $788,000, was on schedule and within budget.
The work was now reaching the stage where people could see how it would work.
Waitaki District Council Harbourside committee chairman Gary Kircher said yesterday the work, which started in January, was the first step towards "an exciting era of vibrancy for the harbour".
A second stage, the cost of which had yet to be estimated, was also planned.
The Wansbeck St extension would not link to Marine Parade, which runs along the harbour frontage from Friendly Bay to Waterfront Rd.
The vision for stage two was a new road behind the green space opposite Friendly Bay and through the former Te Mahi Trust site next to the Oamaru Rowing Club to link with Marine Parade.
That would provide a recreation area from the bay right through to the back of the green space, which was used for the Friendly Bay carnival years ago.
There was also the opportunity to work with commercial tenants to provide new access for trucks rather than using Marine Parade.
Cr Kircher said the resulting recreation space could then be developed, possibly with toilets, changing rooms, a playground and a cafe.
"With the walkway and cycleway, and without a road dissecting the area, it will be a brilliant public space that can be enjoyed by all ages," he said.
This was just the beginning, with proposals for a campervan park and interest in other people-friendly commercial activities in the harbour area.
"We look forward to an exciting era of vibrancy for the harbour," Cr Kircher said.
