The man who originally installed a pedestrian bridge on a popular walking track in Hāwea says it will cost the council thousands to replace it. The Queenstown Lakes District Council is seeking consent to replace the ‘‘no longer fit for purpose’’ bridge over the flood-prone Grandview Creek to maintain access along the Gladstone Track along the margin of Lake Hāwea. Upper Clutha Tracks trustee Tom Rowley, who installed the original bridge six years ago, said he was concerned about the money that could be spent on replacing the bridge. ‘‘I think they could lift up the bridge and put longer beams under it and safeguard it that way. ‘‘Replacing it sounds like an extensive operation. ‘‘They could do a relatively safe job by just lifting the present bridge up, making the bridge and the bank safe from being washed underneath, and save a bit of money while they’re at it,’’ he said. ‘‘People walking along were so delighted to see it going in, that creek would become a problem in the winter,’’ he said.…