29 Oct 2009

Proposal to toughen high rise rules at Mt Maunganui

9:41 am on 29 October 2009

Tauranga City Council says planned rule changes regarding high rise development at Mt Maunganui will make it harder for large new buildings to be constructed.

The existing district plan for Tauranga City allows for high rises to be built along a narrow spine of the holiday resort - up to 38.5 metres tall. There are currently two towers.

The height limit falls in a contoured line away from the Mauao to 19 metres at Mount Drury.

Under the proposals, the tallest buildings could theoretically be granted consent across a broader area.

But deputy mayor David Stewart says obtaining consent for high rises will become much harder as various loopholes are closed.