Installation of Pedestrian Bridge at Marton B and C Dams

In October 2020, Council’s Assets and Infrastructure Committee directed Council staff to design a suitable foot bridge to cross the spillway between the Marton B and C dams. This was needed to allow a safe crossing between the dams and to support the fabulous work being done by the many volunteers and the Tutaenui Stream Restoration Society who have created a stunning walkway around the dams. A permanent bridge is now being installed, which has been designed by a structural engineer to meet health and safety requirements and to align with the Committee’s direction that the bridge needed to allow for the safe passage of pedestrians with a pram or pushchair; mountain bikes; a single quad bike (for maintenance purposes) or horses.

The Council advised the Tutaenui Stream Restoration Society of this decision, and are grateful the Society constructed an interim solution to erect a temporary bridge until the permanent bridge is installed by Council. This temporary bridge has now been removed to make way for the permanent bridge.

The Council acknowledges there could have been better communication between the two groups about the installation of the bridge, and thanks the Tutaenui Stream Restoration Society for their continued support, hard work and restoration of the reservoir, which is now seen as a great recreational asset for Marton.

Council’s contractors will complete the installation of the pedestrian bridge by the end of June.

Council looks forward to working with the Society and to enable two of the recent Long Term Plan decisions that draw the two organisations closer through a Memorandum of Understanding and funding of $10,000 per year for the first 3 years of the LTP.