Tauranga City Council's Community Development Committee met at the Papamoa Community Centre on May 13 at 6.30pm – the first time a Council meeting has been held outside of the chamber for 25 years.

About 50 residents, 10 staff and nine elected members attended.

The agenda included presentations from staff regarding growth areas in Papamoa, a timetable of roading programme and evacuation routes.

Doug Earp made a presentation from the Wairakei Community Group. They requested council put the proposed Wairakei Community Centre back into the 10-year plan.

The demand for housing at Wairakei is seeing some 50 homes occupied and about 650 houses consented.

The open floor discussion at the end of the meeting drew about 10 questions from attendees.

The next community meeting will be held at Matua Hall at 6.30pm on Tuesday, July 15.