30 May 2013

Send in your ideas for the bridge opening by 18 May

Whangarei District Council wants to hear people’s ideas about how to celebrate the official opening of the Lower Hatea River Crossing in July.

“We already have some ideas for the event on 20 or 27 July,” said WDC Group Manager Infrastructure and Services Simon Weston.

“These include a pre-dawn blessing and unveiling of the names, and the official opening of the bridge (hopefully by the Prime Minis¬ter) mid-morning. We expect there will be a flotilla of boats sailing through the gap when the bridge is raised, then we will lower it for people to walk over.

“We want to know if people want to participate in a formal foot parade across the bridge, or walk it in their own time during the day. We also want to hear from people who want to take part in water-based activities.”

Mr Weston said there will be no fund raising during the event because the bridge has been paid for by ratepayers.

“In that spirit, we want people to be able to come and go without any pressure. Because the residents of the District have already paid for the bridge, there also won’t be any commercial ownership of the event.”

All ideas submitted to Council by 18 May will be considered, and organisers will respond to those who provide ideas in time to organise the event and publicise the pro¬gramme in the weeks leading up to the opening.

To send in your ideas for the Bridge opening Email us: mailroom@wdc.govt.nz or let us know on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhangareiDC or write to us at: Bridge Opening Whangarei District Council Private Bag 9023 Whangarei, 0148

ENDS

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