Low-cost bridge options criticised

A Frankton resident has slammed the Queenstown Lakes District Council for accepting any low-cost proposal from the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for the new estimated $5 million to $20 million Kawarau Falls Bridge, as long as the replacement is not delayed.

Self-described ''ratepayer'' Bill Falcone said during the council's public forum on Tuesday he had ''never felt more let down by my council'' than when he heard council transport manager Denis Mander give evidence at the hearing in Queenstown in mid-February.

''Although council's testimony asked for acceptable items, I contend the testimony failed to go far enough in support of our community's interests and submissions,'' Mr Falcone told councillors in the public forum, before the council meeting in chambers.

''The major point communicated was that council would accept anything given to it, so long as the project is not delayed at all.''

Mr Falcone said the transport agency could now use the council's evidence to justify positioning the piers anywhere in the Kawarau River if it struck geotechnical problems, because the council stressed it was vital there should be no delay in construction.

''I also contend that council blindly accepted [the] agency's report that a `low' option for the approach to the new bridge would be able to connect to the bypass in the future via Robertson St,'' he said.

''In reality, the low option, in practical terms, only works with Humphrey St. NZTA only want the least expensive option to succeed.''

Mr Falcone asked councillors if they knew a cut of up to 6m would be needed from the bottom of Robertson St to connect if the ''low'' option was chosen.

Residents at the lower end of Robertson St would not have vehicle access to their driveways because their driveways would be several metres above the road, he said.

The bridge approach needed to be raised 2m to 3m and the approach widened. The agency estimated an additional $1.2 million to $1.4 million would be required, Mr Falcone said.

''It became obvious [in the hearing] that the Robertson St connection was not properly considered by the author of the Transportation Strategy, even though this specific option was raised at the stakeholders' meetings in September and November 2012,'' he said.

''Council had six months to consider this option, yet failed to properly investigate it. And I contend it still has failed to undertake this work.

''That investigation must be undertaken immediately, so its results can be implemented without delaying the bridge construction.''

Mayor Vanessa van Uden thanked Mr Falcone for his public forum contribution and asked his comments be considered during the annual plan process.

When asked to comment, Mr Mander said many of the points made by Mr Falcone were canvassed at the hearing and will be considered by the commissioners when reaching their decisions on the notice of requirement.