A public hearing to consider the Gore District Council’s proposal to build a bridge across the Mataura River, just upstream of the existing traffic bridge, will be held on December 16.

The district council has lodged resource consent applications with itself and with Environment Southland to build a cable-stay bridge across the Mataura River, about 650m upstream of the existing Gore traffic bridge. 

The 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. 

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The proposed location of the bridge is near the intersection between Church and Huron streets on the east bank, and Surrey Street on the west bank. 

The hearing venue is the temporary council chambers in the James Cumming Wing, Ardwick Street, Gore. Two days have been set aside, if needed, to hear evidence.

The resource consent applications attracted 43 submissions, of which 17 people have asked to speak at the hearing.  

Three independent hearing commissioners have delegated authority to determine the resource consents.

They are Dean Chrystal, of Christchurch, Regional Proffit, of Gisborne, and Bonnie Mager, of Invercargill.

Independent consultant planner Keith Hovell said the panel would consider the applications, submissions and any other material presented at the hearing.

He said the commissioners were likely to visit the proposed location during the hearing. 

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Both the district council and Environment Southland, in their roles as consent authorities, have until November 25 to provide a written assessment of the resource consents lodged and the submissions received.

The district council, as the applicant, must make available any evidence it wishes to present by December 2. Any submitter intending to call an expert must provide their evidence in writing by December 9. 

Copies of all the evidence will be available on www.lets.talk.goredc.govt.nz or www.es.govt.nz.