A controversial gate blocking entry to a Nelson estuary could make way for a new committee to be set up to control access.

The Nelson District Council erected the gate in April, at the request of the Huria Matenga Wakapuaka Estuary Trust which was concerned about people damaging the estuary by driving on it. The gate was cut in half by vandals in May, just seven weeks after it was installed.

The idea of forming a committee, with representatives from iwi, the Hira community, the Department of Conservation and the council, was a response to a petition with almost 1200 signatures demanding the removal of the gate.