The proposed $3.7 million bridge will link the intersection of Church and Huron Sts on the river’s east bank and Surrey St on the west and carry water pipes, as part of a $10.7million upgrade to the council’s East Gore water plant.
Commissioners Dean Chrystal, of Christchurch, Reginald Proffit, of Gisborne, and Bonnie Mager, of Invercargill, conducted an independent hearing at the Gore District Council chambers in December last year.
At the end of the hearing, the commissioners gave the council until January 29 to exercise its right of reply.
In the commissioners’ third minute, released on February 12, hearing chairman Mr Chrystal said the reply included three pieces of new evidence.
The evidence came from council 3 Waters manager Matt Bayliss, roading manager Peter Standring and expert witness bridge engineer Daniel Crocker and discussed the alternative locations for the proposed bridge.
"The introduction of new evidence raises initially a question of natural justice and therefore in fairness to the reporting officers and submitters we intend to allow comments on those three briefs of evidence," Mr Chrystal said.
Comments were limited to the matters covered by the new evidence and closed on March 3.
Six submitters chose to comment, including the Waimea Plains Landscape Preservation Society.
Society chairman David Gray said the second minute, advising the hearing was adjourned for the council to prepare its reply, did not provide for new evidence to be submitted.
"Therefore we believe, with respect, that a point of order arises as the introduction of new evidence by way of the three new briefs of evidence is improper because the provision of new evidence was not part of the reasons for the adjournment," Mr Gray said.
He submitted that the new evidence should be struck from the record.
"If such evidence is to be considered then a new application should be initiated by the applicant."
Independent consultant planner Keith Hovell said the commissioners would decide if they had now had sufficient information relating to the proposal.
If they were satisfied, the hearing would be closed.
Then panel would then have 15 working days to issue its decision.
