Dunedin residents look set to be given a say on the "stunning'' proposal for a walking and cycling bridge connecting the waterfront with the rest of the city.
A walking and cycling bridge stretching from the Chinese Garden to the waterfront, designed by Damien van Brandenburg, of Architecture Van Brandenburg, was included in the "masterplan'' for the redevelopment of the Steamer Basin, publicly unveiled on Saturday.
A majority of Dunedin City councillors, spoken to yesterday, wanted the bridge proposal included in the long-term plan process, as long as there was public consultation.
All the councillors were supportive of the Steamer Basin plans.
The council is set to meet next month to discuss the long-term plan and the bridge could be be added then.
Cr David Benson-Pope said he was extremely enthusiastic about the plans and fully supported the bridge, or something very similar, being added to the council's long-term plan.
"It's stunning. We are talking about a work of public sculpture really, and if we manage to produce something like that it will become an attraction in its own right.''
Once the cost of the bridge had been fully investigated and the NZ Transport Agency had signalled what it was prepared to fund, councillors would have a better idea of what they were or were not backing, Cr Benson-Pope said.
"I think the key thing is we need to get on with it.''
Councillors who signalled their support were Chris Staynes, Rachel Elder, Christine Garey and Conrad Stedman.
Cr Garey said there was a process to go through and the council needed to listen to the community but she hoped people would back Mr van Brandenburg's idea.
"So far there is just so much positivity out there about these plans, and there will always be things that aren't quite right, but it's a very exciting time.''
Crs Aaron Hawkins, Mike Lord and Jim O'Malley also backed the proposal, as long as there was a full public consultation process and the cost of the bridge - and how much the council would pay - was known up front.
Cr Lord said if the timing was right and it fitted into the council's budget he would be supportive of it, but it was important all the information was available before a decision was made.
Not all councillors were supportive of Mr van Brandenburg's vision for the bridge.
Cr Lee Vandervis said the bridge was not the right design and not in the right place.
"I think we need to look well into the future and get a connection between lower Rattray St and the actual harbourside itself.''
Other options needed to be explored, including a subway, Cr Vandervis said.
"Amazing as it is, going over the top doesn't get you to where you need to go and is extraordinarily expensive.
"It could be going underground is the way to go.''
Cr Andrew Whiley also wanted more options explored and said he needed more information before he could throw his support behind the proposal.
Cr Doug Hall said he did not have enough information to know if he supported it but would want to know where the money was coming from before a decision was made.
