Cost a bridge too far - Main

The council does not wish to spend $1.8 million to replace the Wakefield St Bridge in Wanganui East. Photo/Bevan Conley

A large crowd attended the Wanganui District Council's annual plan community meeting - but most people had just one thing on their minds.

About 200 people were at Tuesday's meeting at the War Memorial Hall, where Mayor Annette Main and senior council staff explained the details of the 2014-15 annual plan.

However, many people arrived armed with small signs proclaiming "Save our bridge" as a protest against the council proposal to close Wakefield St Bridge - and most of them left halfway through the meeting.

Ms Main explained that the council had just passed its draft annual plan.

"This is a very early meeting to talk to you about what we want to do.

"However, this is not your only chance to have your say on the plan," Ms Main said.

Financial projections had been included for another two years because of the need to rebuild the city's wastewater treatment plant, which would cost an estimated $24 million.

"This would have been a very different plan if it was not for the wastewater treatment plant."

She said $5.9 million had been budgeted for earthquake strengthening of the Alexander Library, the Whanganui Regional Museum, the Opera House, the War Memorial Hall and one of the council buildings.

The council was looking for public feedback on two key points: Wakefield St Bridge and funding for the Wanganui East pool.

Both of these had been earmarked for exclusion from the 2014-15 plan.

Ms Main said the bridge would cost $1.8 million to replace.

The council is proposing to close the ageing structure to motorised traffic and instead route it through Tinirau St, Holyoake St and on to Eastown Rd.

"The council will get no government subsidy for this work because there is an alternative route," she said.

The mayor said a public meeting to discuss issues with the bridge would be held at the Wanganui East Club on March 17 at 7.30pm, to which everyone was invited.

After this announcement, a large part of the crowd left, leaving council chief executive Kevin Ross to outline the annual plan process and deputy chief executive Julian Harkness to discuss how the rating process worked.

With the pool and bridge, items likely to be excluded from the draft annual plan include the computer clubhouse, the planned Castlecliff library hub, the Opera House seating, the Virginia Lake aviary, the replacement of the velodrome light towers and the Matarawa Stream bridge replacement.

Projects likely to stay in the plan include the Wharf St boat ramp, Bason Reserve road re-seal and drainage, repairs to the North Mole, replacement of the museum roof, an extension to the Aramoho Cemetery, the weatherproofing of the Alexander Library, and replacing the Kai Iwi bores.

The submission process for the annual plan opens on April 7.

However, an online submission form is available now on the district council website at www.wanganui.govt.nz