The fate of the old Kopu Bridge is still "hanging in the balance".

Recently the NZ Transport Agency engaged a consultant specialising in historic structures and engineering to examine what would be needed to retain the almost nine-decade old structure.

The old Kopu Bridge as seen from the new bridge which was opened in 2011. Photo: TCDC

The transport agency wants to be sure the Thames-Coromandel District Council, Historic Kopu Bridge Society, and local community are aware of the long-term engineering and funding requirements required to maintain the structure, which it understands may have a lifespan of 500 years.

NZTA highways manager Kaye Clark says the agency has also continued with initial plans to demolish the bridge and expects to lodge the resource consents required to do this early next year.

'These consents can be put on hold if a suitable option to keep the old bridge intact is agreed upon,” explains Kaye.

However, the district council is stating its position on the old Kopu Bridge has not changed.

Mayor Glenn Leach says in principle, council supports the aim of the Historic Kopu Bridge Society of keeping the bridge intact, but 'this must be achieved at no risk or future cost to ratepayers”.

Glenn adds that in October 2014, council passed several resolutions which it still supports.

These include a long-term transferrable resource consent for future demolition is successfully achieved by NZTA; certainty of operation, maintenance, and financial self-sustainability by an external management entity; and certainty on the adequacy of future demolition funding received from NZTA.

The agency has said if the bridge is ‘deconstructed', the historic swing arm could be relocated, and possibly incorporated into a cycle trail or walkway with signboards to tell its story.

Another option identified by the agency is to leave some spans on the eastern bank of the Waihou River as a pier, says Glenn.

'The Historic Kopu Bridge Society has been trying to secure external funding in order to meet the conditions in our resolution. They are a group of volunteers and their hard work is a testament to their passion for our local heritage.

'But the Society must satisfy NZTA, iwi and our Council that they have a sound proposal to retain the old Kopu Bridge.”

The NZTA wants to ‘divest itself' of the structure because it is no longer part of the state highway network. It wants to either remove the bridge or vest it with a body that can manage it safely into the future.

For more information visit the Thames-Coromandel District Council's Old Kopu Bridge website: www.tcdc.govt.nz/oldkopubridge