Economic benefits are being touted as one reason for the single-lane Kopu Bridge to remain.

Discussions are taking place to see what to do with the old bridge since the completion of a new two-lane crossing.

The completion of the new Kopu Bridge has created questions over what to do with the old one.

Organisers of the Save Kopu Bridge public meeting on Saturday in Thames say Kopu's historic single-lane bridge is one of the jewels in the crown of an important heritage collection.

They believe it could be rebranded to bring new economic benefits to the area through innovative and exciting new ideas.

The organisation wants to see the Category One Historic Place remain operational and says the recent public meeting was a success.

'Having met the objectives of raising more public awareness and with all four stakeholders agreeing to public consultation, this leaves the way forward for strategies to be explored to ensure the bridge can pay its own way in future,” says spokesperson Kim Buchanan.

'One of the proposed strategies is to celebrate the bridge as a symbol of transport with a possible Heritage Transport Festival to raise funds for the maintenance of the bridge featuring vintage cars and buggies, boats, planes and all things transport.”

NZ Transport Agency regional director Harry Wilson says there is no rush for any decision and consultation process to be made.

Harry says the cost to demolish the original bridge is estimated at $3million.

During the public meeting, he expressed an openness to consult further on the possibility of putting some of the money earmarked for demolition towards the continuance of the bridge under some other entity other than NZTA.

Other possible options proposed for the bridge include no public access, retention of the bridge or a possible pier option involving partial demolition of the bridge.

Save Kopu Bridge showed meeting attendees several examples of category one bridges and piers which have been restored to new uses and economic viability.

These included the Tolaga Bay Wharf, Hapuawhenua Viaduct and the Karangahake Gorge bridges and tunnel.

The outcome of the meeting was a working group be formed with some legal entity to liaise with the four stakeholders, Thames-Coromandel District Council, Hauraki District Council, NZ Transport Agency and the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.

The meeting also concluded with plans for there to be public consultation with a view of retaining the bridge as an operational bridge.