The Gore District Council’s resource consent applications to build a cable-stay bridge across the Mataura River, near the existing Gore traffic bridge, has attracted 46 submissions, with 26 opposing the plans.

Another 17 submitters supported the bridge, while two were neutral and one supported the concept but not the site.

The resource consent applications were lodged last month with Environment Southland and the Gore District Council, as the regulating authorities.

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The Gore District Council today released the number of submissions received.

The content of the submissions should be made public on the council website by the end of next week, Gore District Council communications manager Sonia Gerven said.

Independent consultant planner Keith Hovell said there will be a joint hearing to consider the submissions. A date for the hearing has yet to be set.

There are several options as to what happens prior to the hearing, depending on what is contained in the submissions, he said.

These include a pre-hearing meeting involving all the submitters and the applicant, and a request for further information from the applicant.

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The proposed new bridge will provide a cycling and walking link, and carry a new water pipeline from the East Gore water treatment plant to the Jacobstown Wells.

It is proposed to locate the bridge near the intersection between Church and Huron streets on the east bank, and Surrey Street on the west bank.

The bridge would be 90m long and 3m wide. At its highest point, it would reach 39m high.