Construction of a new $38,000 fence along one of Memorial Park's boundaries is prompting questions of more frugal city council spending from one nearby resident.

Work continues on replacing the Memorial Park fence along Devonport Rd. Photo: Bruce Barnard.

Work on replacing the existing fence red fence from the 11th Ave intersection towards 7th Ave began about four weeks ago.

Tauranga City Council communications manager Frank Begley says the current fence needs to be replaced because it's rusting and deteriorating. The cost of replacing the fence is $38,000.

He says this is necessary as there's a steep drop down to Memorial Park and a new structure will protect pedestrians.

But Jean Craven questions the need for a new fence – saying she'd prefer to see money allocated to more pressing issues in the city.

The Fraser St resident, who regularly uses the footpath, was taken aback when finding out about the replacement work – believing there was nothing wrong with the original fence.

'I thought I don't know if it was budgeted for because there are so many blowouts with spending these days,” says Jean. 'I think there are far more important things to spend money on.”

She uses the footpath regularly and hasn't noticed any danger to the public or herself near the fence.

Frank says the new 450m long 1.2m high hot dip galvanised steel fence is being installed in panels so if damage occurs these can be easily replaced.

The current wire fence is custom-built and not easily fixed when damaged. Frank says council doesn't know the exact installation date of the old fence.

'It was concreted into the footpath. From a 1959 photograph we can see the footpath, so the [current] fence may be 50-60 years old.”