The Gore District Council was granted resource consent for the bridge, which will cross the Mataura River about 650m upstream of Gore’s existing traffic bridge, by an independent hearing panel.
The cable-stay bridge was also designed to carry new water pipelines linking the upgraded East Gore water treatment plant with the Jacobstown Wells and Hilbre Ave reservoir and will also provide a link between east and west Gore for cyclists and pedestrians.
The preservation society is seeking refusal of the application.
Its reasons given include: the wider pedestrian and cycle network components were "not within the scope of the application"; placing undue weight that bridges in alternative locations would be unlikely to qualify for NZ Transport Agency funding; failing to consider the effects of the Mataura River stopbanks being raised by 500mm; and the visual impacts of the bridge.
The appeal also states the panel failed to consider cumulative effects arising from additional lighting on the bridge, loss of privacy for nearby residents and that the process followed removed the ability for members of the public to provide comment and feedback on alternatives and the merits of the options put forward.
Independent planning consultant Keith Hovell said the society had five working days to serve a copy of its appeal on all persons who lodged a submission to the resource consents.
"Any submitter has a right to become a party to the appeal, provided they notify the Environment Court no later than June 11," he said.
In seeking to become a party to the appeal, no additional matters could be raised, Mr Hovell said.
The Environment Court would first determine whether parties were willing to go to mediation, but if there was no mediation or resolution arising from mediation a formal hearing would follow.
