Proposed bridge project advanced ‘too quickly’

GERRARD Eckhoff in his article ‘‘More to Otago than waterfront’’ (ODT, 14.11.18) talks good sense.

The ‘‘cockleshell’’ bridge project has been advanced far too quickly without proper consideration of alternatives, the cost and the supporting evidence for it.

If money from the Government’s Provincial Growth Fund is used then even more reason to consider what is best for the whole region.

I agree with Mr Eckhoff that other projects might be better for Otago, including his suggestion for building more water storage schemes in the hinterland.

And he is right in doubting that if the bridge is started private finance would be forthcoming. With the stadium project the public were told that private funding would ease the ratepayer burden but in the end very little such funding eventuated and the ratepayer had to pick up the bill.

Again Mr Eckhoff is correct in his assessment that the waterfront area is beset by cold easterly winds and is not a particularly attractive place for tourists.

I am strongly of the opinion that the bridge proposal should be put on hold and the Dunedinbased councils reappraise it and consult the rural sector, including its councils.

And finally, public opinion should be tested by the next council elections or a referendum should be held. Jerry Walton

Dunedin I’M not sure how far afield Gerrard Eckhoff (ODT, 14.11.18) has travelled recently but I’d suggest a visit to the north of Spain might be instructive.

In the early 1990s Bilbao was an industrial port down on its luck and off the tourist track. The Basque Government had the wit to build a Guggenheim Museum designed by Frank Gehry. It cost $US100 million and now attracts 1.3 million visitors a year.

When I visited that museum the contents failed to excite me but, like millions of others, I was stunned by that amazing building . . . just as visitors to this city could be by our proposed waterfront development. In Bilbao they built and they came. So should we.

Ross Johnston

Purakaunui