Media Release

Embargoed until Monday November 21

Submissions called for on resource consents for He Ara Kotahi Bridge

Submissions are being called for over plans to build the He Ara Kotahi cycle and pedestrian bridge across the Manawatū River.

He Ara Kotahi Project Steering Group Chair Ray Swadel says resource consents have been lodged to build the 190 metre long bridge near the intersection of Dittmer Drive and Ruha Street which will include a public viewing platform.

The bridge is part of the He Ara Kotahi shared pathway project linking Palmerston North City with the Science Research Centres, Massey University, and the Linton Military Camp.

The resource consent process is being managed by the regulatory arms of Horizons Regional Council and Palmerston North City Council.

“A project of this complexity requires us to make applications for a number of land use consents along with discharge and water permits,” says Mr Swadel.

The construction of the bridge would involve earthworks on the northern and southern embankments of the Manawatū River and disturbances to the riverbed.

The work would include alterations to the stop banks and the temporary diversion of the river to allow machinery access to build bridge piers on the riverbed.

Ramps will need to be built along with connections to the shared pathway. The site is an area of cultural significance and a flood protection zone.

“The resource consent applications and supporting documents can be viewed at the Horizons Regional Council Office or at the Palmerston North City Council’s Customer Services Centre and Central Library,” says Mr Swadel.

The documents are also available on the Horizons Regional Council website:

http://www.horizons.govt.nz/managing-natural-resources/consents/he-ara-kotahi-cycleway-shared-pathway

Submissions close at 4.45pm on Monday 19 December.

The application for resource consents will be heard by independent commissioners and a decision on whether or not the bridge will be built is expected to be made by the middle of next year.

The $10m project is part of the government’s $333m Urban Cycleways Programme. It has received $3m from this programme and $3.2 from the National Land Transport Fund.

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