Consents granted for controversial Gore bridge

Thursday, 29 April 2021

An artist impression of the $3.7million cable-stay design bridge as part of a $10.8million project to carry water pipelines from the East Gore plant to the Jacobstown wells. It will be the longest and tallest structure of this type in New Zealand at 39m high and 90m long.

A controversial bridge across the Mataura River at Gore has been given the go-ahead, however appeals are still able to be lodged.

The Gore District Council first announced plans for the bridge in mid-2020, and criticisms were aired about the bridge obstructing views, it being in a flood plain, effects on cultural values, ecology and privacy.

Hokonui Rūnanga was critical of the council’s engagement about the project, and one planner recommended the resource consent be declined.

However, on Thursday a panel of independent commissioners announced approval of two land use resource consents for the cable-style bridge, which will be 90 metres long and 39 metres tall at its highest point.

* Budget blowout possible for Mataura River bridge project

* GDC's application to build new bridge has been suspended

The council says the pedestrian and cycleway bridge will carry critical water pipelines.

Hokonui Rūnanga had submitted a “revised neutral submission” and there are steps in place should a site of cultural importance be found, it says in the commissioners’ report.

On Thursday, Rūnanga chairman Terry Nicholas said “a lot of people will be unhappy” about the granted consents, and referred further questions to Rūnanga biodiversity expert Riki Parata.

Parata could not be reached on Thursday night.

The bridge will be near the intersection of Church and Huron streets on the east bank of the river, and Surrey St on the west bank, about 650 metres upstream of the Gore traffic bridge.

The three independent commissioners had heard submissions over the course of two days in December, and their report says it was “a close call”.

The commissioners say in their report that in a broader context, the proposed “elegant structure” would create a “landmark” structure and would contribute as a feature to the identity of Gore township.

Notwithstanding, the commissioners acknowledged the evidence that the proposed bridge “would have significant adverse visual amenity effects associated with its visual dominance, where it is in close proximity” to houses near Huron St.

Gore mayor Tracy Hicks said it was positive result and would deliver long term public benefit.

“There are learnings we can take from the process and use in the future.”

Council chief executive Stephen Parry reiterated Hick’s comments about the council learning from the process.

“As is the norm with any large project, there will be a full post-mortem at its completion.”

While some people vehemently opposed the bridge, the project also had its fair share of supporters, Parry said.

Any submitter opposed to the decision has 15 working days to lodge an appeal with the Environment Court registry.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency will co-fund 55 per cent of the $3.7m bridge, leaving the council to pay $1.6m.