The Dunedin City Council is to consider replacing a dilapidated fence on Pine Hill Rd - the northern route into the city - with a chain-mesh fence.
However, any decision is not likely to be made until next year's annual plan hearings in January - exactly a year after a request to consider the project was made.
Councillors agreed to the project in principle at Monday's infrastructure services committee, after members of the public criticised the fence during this year's annual plan submissions.
Councillors voted to instruct staff to work with other agencies, including the New Zealand Transport Agency, to study safety and funding issues for the new fence.
A report would be presented to next year's annual plan hearings, when funding for the work could be allocated.
A report by council consultants Opus International outlined six options for the new fence, ranging from placing mesh on the existing fence, costing $40,000, to building a metal balustrade fence, costing $400,000.
However, councillors opted for a mid-range chain-mesh fence stretching about 700m up the hill and costing an estimated $120,000.
The fence would provide better protection for people walking up the hill, as the footpath ran beside a steep vegetation-covered bank, councillors heard.
Cr Dave Cull said the safety of "students and young mums" walking up the street needed to be addressed, while Cr Fliss Butcher said the issue was about the marketing of the city - the existing fence made Dunedin look "poor".
Cr Michael Guest agreed the old fence "has got to go", as did Chris Staynes, who said: "It is our entrance into the city. It would be nice to have an attractive entrance."
