Dunedin's councillors have backed the building of an architecturally-designed footbridge connecting the central city and the harbourside.
The council this afternoon unanimously approved the proposal unveiled by Architecture van Brandenburg last month.
Mayor Dave Cull said the city needed a bridge connecting the two areas and it should be a visionary one.
Mr Cull said it made no sense for the city to spend millions on a more modest utilitarian bridge, as it would not attract the investment necessary to redevelop the harbourside.
The proposal will go out for community consultation early next year.