Public meeting sees exciting future ahead for Kopu Bridge

“Kopu's historic single lane bridge is one of the jewels in the crown of an important heritage collection, which like Napier, could be rebranded to bring new economic benefits to the area through innovative and exciting new ideas” say organisers “Save Kopu Bridge” of Saturday’s Public meeting in Thames.

Save Kopu Bridge who want to see the Category One Historic Place remain operational, declared the meeting a success with over 60 people attending. “Having met the objectives of both raising more public awareness and with all four stakeholders agreeing to public consultation, this leaves the way forward for strategies to be explored to ensure that that the bridge can pay it’s own way in future. One of the proposed strategies is to celebrate the bridge as a symbol of transport with a possible Heritage Transport Festival to raise funds for the maintenance of the bridge featuring vintage cars and buggies, boats, planes and all things “transport.” ”, commented spokesperson, Kim Buchanan.

Harry Wilson Regional Director of NZ Transport Authority (NZTA) also assured there was no rush for this decision and consultation process to be made.

Mr Wilson revealed the bridge demolition costs to be estimated at three million dollars. He expressed an openness to consult further on the possibility of putting some of the money earmarked for demolition towards the continuance of the bridge under some other entity other than NZTA.
Three other possible options proposed by NZTA were no public access, retention of the bridge or a possible “pier option” involving partial demolition of the bridge.

Thames Coromandel District Council (TCDC) Mayor Glen Leach previously quoted as favouring demolition of the bridge, talked about the importance of heritage in the area, acknowledging his own long background in tourism and suggested the formation of a trust or similar entity to take the bridge forward.

Other invited speakers were John Tregidga, Mayor of Hauraki District Council (HDC) with statements in support of the bridge also being read on behalf of the Institute of Professional Engineers of NZ (IPENZ) and the NZ Historic Places Trust (NZHPT).

Save Kopu Bridge showed meeting attendees several examples of Category One bridges and piers which have been restored to new uses and economic viability including the Tolaga Bay Wharf, Hapuawhenua Viaduct and the Karangahake Gorge bridges and tunnel. The Urangan Pier in Hervey Bay Australia was quoted as an international success story with the 1918 pier saved from demolition in 1986 due to public outcry. The pier is now the focus of tourism in the bay with its’ own annual heritage festival to raise funds for its maintenance.

The meeting resolved overwhelmingly that a working group be formed with some legal entity ie a trust or incorporated society, to liaise with the four stakeholders TCDC, HDC, NZTA and NZHPT and that there be public consultation with a view to retaining the bridge as an operational bridge. All parties expressed their willingness to involve the public in this process and an assurance was given by TCDC Mayor Glen Leach that “this decision will not be made behind closed doors”.

(ends)

© Scoop Media