The council has long been aware that many people felt as if they were trespassing as they traversed an open paddock towards the coast from Bridge St, and the accessway was not accessible to some people in the community due to the steps up and over fences.
Timaru District Council group manager environmental services Paul Cooper said the council worked with Alliance Group, which owns the land, to create a new path closer to the Bridge St bridge.
"We previously extended the width of the bridge to make it safer for people to go from the parking area to the entrance of the track. The council then worked closely with Alliance Group to put the track entrance closer to the bridge for the community’s safety and to improve accessibility for more members of our community," he said
"The new accessway is more inviting to walk through, and regular users will notice at the top of the walkway a seat in the perfect spot to look at the lagoon."
Alliance’s Smithfield acting plant manager Ivan Docherty said the lagoon was a nationally significant refuge and sanctuary for flora and fauna, and important for mana whenua, locals and visitors.
"We are proud to be working with Timaru District Council to improve access to the coast and this important catchment."
