A resource consent hearing was held in December because the council had to apply to itself and Environment Southland for resource consent to build the bridge. Three independent hearing commissioners, Dean Chrystal ​of Christchurch, Reginal Proffit ​of Gisborne, and Bonnie Mager, of Invercargill, heard submissions and evidence at the hearing. Applications to the resource consent attracted 46 submissions – 26 in opposition, 17 in support, two neutral and one in support but opposing the site. The NZ Transport Agency would co-fund 55 per cent of the $3.7million cable-stay design bridge, leaving the council to pay $1.6m. If it goes ahead, the bridge will be the longest and tallest cable-stay design bridge in New Zealand at 39m high and 90m long.

Source: Stuff February 10, 2021 00:00 UTC