The unusual offer, made to the council yesterday, could resolve conflict over where the new road should go and dramatically bring forward plans for development of the harbour, foreshore and former railways goods yard.
The council has been grappling with the cost of a new road to the harbour, a vital part of the development of the Harbourside plan.
The council's stage 1 proposal, costing about $300,000, was to extend Wansbeck St to link with Marine Pde, using a $150,000 subsidy from Land Transport NZ (LTNZ) and the remainder to come from the council.
Stage 2, building a new road behind the buildings on the west side of Marine Pde from Wansbeck St to Waterfront Rd, would cost about $900,000, with no subsidy from LTNZ.
The council felt this was too costly now, and put it into a long-term plan.
But most people who attended a meeting last week wanted the new road built.
Former Waitaki Mayor Alan McLay and businessmen Doug Hurst and Les McCullough yesterday outlined how the council could build a new road from Wansbeck St through the former Te Mahi Trust site to Marine Pde at a cost of no more than $150,000 to the council.
Mr Hurst said they had talked with contractors and farmers with the appropriate equipment and, so far, all agreed to give time and equipment to help build the road.
They still had others to approach.
All they would need from the council was the $150,000 it had already budgeted and a contribution from LTNZ.
Mr McLay believed LTNZ could be convinced to grant a subsidy.
"We are offering it more road for the same money, more bang for their buck. Why would they [LTNZ] not come to the party?" he said.
The proposal would open up land for commercial and retail development that could be worth millions of dollars to the council, he said.
It would also mean the large green space formerly used for Oamaru carnivals could be developed for recreation and linked to Friendly Bay.
Eventually, the road could be extended along to Waterfront Rd.
Mr Hurst said businesses wanted to see something happen at the harbour and were prepared to make a considerable contribution to the new road.
"It would be a significant kick- start for harbour development," he said.
Mr McCullough said the offer was a "win-win for everybody" and would open up land to the council for development.
Yesterday, the council endorsed in principle the Harbourside draft development strategy prepared by Oamaru landscape architect Dugal Armour.
Harbour and heritage subcommittee chairman Cr Gary Kircher said the strategy was not affected by the proposal it heard yesterday.
The proposal fitted perfectly with the development strategy plan and every other long-term plan for Harbourside.
"If we can achieve that [road] earlier, then that is great," he said.
Cr Peter Garvan said this was a group that was prepared to "put several hundred thousands of dollars" and do a "huge public favour".
Cr Jim Hopkins said they needed to be invited back to talk to officers to investigate their proposal.
The council will invite the group for preliminary discussions with chief executive Michael Ross or his nominees.
