Council infrastructure spokesman Ray Stevens said the "lean" was at once alarming and exciting, and locals should expect to see some barrier tape in place over the next couple of days.
He said council had agonised for days before deciding to go public with the "lean".
"If I lived in the neighbourhood, I might be a bit concerned but imagine the tourism opportunities as more people rock up to see the phenomenon," he said.
"I'm sure bylaws can show flexibility if some enterprising Durie Hill resident wants to set up a fast-food stall in Blyth St to take advantage of the increasing visitor numbers."
Mr Stevens added it would be an ideal spot for a mobile pizzeria.
The leaning tower of Pisa in Italy is at an angle of 4 degrees - or about 13 feet past perfectly vertical - but experts say it should be stable for at least the next 200 years.
At the moment the Durie Hill tower is leaning about 5 degrees.
Pisa's tower - started in 1173 - was sited on soft ground and by the time the second floor was finished in 1178, the tower was beginning to lean.
Engineers and architects from all over the world have tried to correct the Pisa lean. They have tried grouting the foundation masonry, wrapping plastic-coated steel pieces around the tower, pouring a concrete ring around the base of the tower and laying lead counterweights to the north side.
There are no such plans yet for the Durie Hill landmark and Mr Stevens said he hoped the council would adopt a "liberal view" of Wanganui's own leaning tower when it meets in special session today, April 1.
