Catherine Stewart Tauranga City Councillor

A majority of Tauranga City Council's elected members supported Bob Clarkson's proposal to investigate opening up land in Tauriko for development.

Central Government has directed councils to open up land and the Special Housing Accord was initiated to do just that.

I've always been of the view that if developers can put in infrastructure upfront at their cost, so there's no impact on ratepayers, then council should give due consideration to any such request.

Constraining and controlling development of land through Smartgrowth impacts on land cost and affordability issues.

Having planning documents that are too prescriptive can create problems for our council and our neighbour, Western Bay of Plenty District Council.

I acknowledge a level of planning is required and this occurs through our City Plan.

The heady days of the 1980s are gone; and while growth is steadily on the rise again we need to ensure our policies open gates rather than create barriers for growth and housing affordability.