He recommended the council ask its chief executive to investigate replacing the concrete parapets on both sides of the bridge with see-through sides to provide the views that people have called for.
But the issue has created a real dilemma for the council, because in 10 days the existing contract will reach a point where the programme will be stalled awaiting a decision to change the current design.
The committee heard that the New Zealand Transport Agency, which has funded the project in total, has indicated it would sheet any additional costs involved in changing the contract, back to GDC.
“The NZTA are more than willing to help. They want to work with us on it,” said chief executive Nedine Thatcher Swann.
“But they have also made it clear than any costs involved in changing the contract at this late stage would fall back on the council and the ratepayers.”
Tairawhiti Roads general manager Dave Hadfield said he was in discussion with the contractors and the NZTA.
“We are working through the additional costs involved in going for see-through sides and we will be able to provide that information to the council either Monday or Tuesday next week.
“The contractors want to build a bridge the community is happy with,” he said.
“In 10 days it will be too late to make changes to the current contract, so time is very short.”
Councillor Graeme Thomson said the council should stick to the contract “or there will be consequences relating to cost”.
“It would be cheaper to complete the job as per the plan, then look at removing the concrete parapets on both sides later.
“The new replicas will only be bolted in place and could easily be removed later.
“If we stop the contract now and change it, it will mean a new resource consent process, public consultation, perhaps even a hearing, and that could take months.”
Mr Thomson said the contractors would “have their meters running cost-wise”.
It was stated that it would cost $5000 a day if the contract was delayed
Shannon Dowsing said it would be uneconomic to interupt the current process.
“We have an opportunity to maximise the views from the bridge both up and down stream, views that will be valued by the district forever and a day,” said councillor Larry Foster.
“We have to find a way to get those views.”
Pat Seymour said a variation to the contract now would damage council’s reputation with contractors.
“Complete the bridge project as it is, then we can look again at our options.”
Andy Cranston felt the same way.
“It will give us more time to think about what we want to do.”
Deputy Mayor Rehette Stoltz pointed out the upstream parapet was not included in the current contract.
“Let’s finish the contract, then change both sides.”
Karen Fenn said the community wanted the views.
“Let’s find out what we can do.”
Mr Foon said the council “was stuck between a rock and a hard place.”
“This is a critical matter for our community.”
The new replica parapet comes in eight sections, and three of those sections had already been created.
The Future Tairawhiti Committee agreed to let the matter “lie on the table” pending the further costings being prepared.
A special council meeting will be called to consider the issue further when those figures become available early next week.
