Likewise, neighbouring businesses will be consulted before the roundabout is put in place at the intersection of Eden and Reed Sts.
The Waitaki District Council approved roundabouts at Wansbeck and Tyne Sts, for $60,000, and Eden and Reed Sts, for $77,000, this week but both were approved under the condition that stakeholders would be consulted first.
Before the decisions were taken, Cr Peter Garvan said the former Customs House, a category 1 historic place, occupied the northeast corner of the Wansbeck and Tyne Sts intersection and the former Northern Hotel, a category 2 building, stood on its southwest corner and if the council did not carry out consultation before installing the roundabout it would be setting a precedent.
''It will have a visual effect on heritage,'' he said. ''It's a very important street.''
Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher said the roundabout at the Wansbeck and Tyne Sts intersection in the historic area ''can be done in a sympathetic way''.
He argued against extending the roading team's consultation for the Eden and Reed Sts intersection beyond the neighbours ''right on that corner'', to save time.
Cr Melanie Tavendale said while not everyone would agree with a roundabout for the problematic intersection, ''I still think it's the best option''.
Council roading manager Michael Voss said on average, 5400 vehicles a day used the Wansbeck and Tyne Sts intersection, including 250 ''heavy vehicles'', and the number of vehicles using the intersection was increasing.
At Eden and Reed Sts, 7664 vehicles, including 320 heavy vehicles, used the intersection.
The intersection was the worst in Oamaru for crashes, with 31 reported since 2000.
In his report tabled at this week's council meeting, Mr Voss said there was a growing preference for roundabouts as ''the best form of intersection control''.
Roundabouts reduce the likelihood of fatal crashes by 90%, serious injury crashes by 75%, and all crashes by 37%, he wrote.
Oamaru's last roundabout was removed in 2009, when the town's first traffic lights were installed. The roundabouts at the Eden and Thames Sts junction and the Ribble and Thames Sts intersection had prompted safety concerns.
