It's always good to see a councillor's comments on what's happening in the district.

However, Councillor Steve Morris' article on the proposed Wairoa River Cycle Bridge (The Weekend Sun, page 14, May 26, 2017) left me spellbound about why the estimated costs have blown out over two years from $1.5 to $7 million.

Could he please provide more information about the process that led to the apparent confused due diligence or otherwise that led to the cost increases, otherwise how can the public rationalise out the proposal.

D Wilson, Mount Maunganui.


Councillor Steve Morris responds:

TCC granted $400,000 to the Western BOP District Council project when the bridge was supposed to cost $1.5 million. I understand that their ambitions grew as more funding came in from government and trusts. When they announced the design it wasn't fully costed and estimated to be $6.5 million. Now a more detailed costing has produced $7.1 million.