A recommendation tabled at the infrastructure committee meeting yesterday could be a bridge too far for the Queenstown Lakes District Council.
Councillors gave a lukewarm response to the idea of taking ownership of the old Kawarau Falls Bridge, if the benefits outweighed the costs.
Transport policy and stakeholder manager Denis Mander also recommended the committee agree council officers negotiate with the Ministry of Innovation, Business and Employment to secure the bridge for utilities, cyclists and pedestrians.
The 87-year-old bridge and dam is the only physical link across the Kawarau River between Frankton and Kelvin Heights.
When the $18 million two-lane replacement is built, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) intends to give up its lease over the old bridge. Maintenance responsibility will go back to the ministry.
During the public forum, Remarkables Park Ltd resource management planner Jenny Carter said the company did not believe the bridge should be owned by the council.
Remarkables Park agreed with the Otago Regional Council that the two bridges should be maintained in parallel by the NZTA, Ms Carter said.
Cr John Mann asked in committee if the securing of utilities over the old bridge had been overlooked by the council.
Mr Mander said the relocation needed to be costed and an estimate was not available.
''Ideally, we stick with the current bridge for the foreseeable future,'' he said.
''The new bridge does provide space for utilities.''
Cr Lex Perkins said a lot of discussion was needed before the recommendation was considered. Cr Jude Battson said it was a council decision, not a committee one.
However, Cr Trevor Tattersfield said the transfer was ''a big ask for NZTA to wipe its hands and dump it on us.''
Committee members suggested the NZTA own the bridge and the council manage it.
Chairman Lyal Cocks, backed by Queenstown Lakes Mayor Vanessa van Uden, asked Mr Mander to negotiate with relevant agencies.
The recommendation was amended so the committee ''considers'' ownership of the old bridge transferring to the council.
The resolution, moved by Cr Tattersfield and seconded by Cr Battson, was carried unanimously.
