Catherine Stewart Tauranga City Councillor

Elected members have been advised that the top three reasons people use Tauranga City Council's website is to look up information on rates, cemeteries and waste.

Most people stay online for less than a minute.

I recently attended a roadshow regarding Central Government initiatives to assist first-home buyers.

Home ownership has declined during the last 30 years from 73 per cent to 63 per cent with Auckland and Tauranga being described as 'severely unaffordable”.

Central Government is looking at ways to reduce ‘red tape' including changes to Resource Management Act, Building Act and land supply.

Tauranga is part of a Special Housing Accord, an agreement between Central Government and Tauranga City Council.

This accord aims to increase the supply of land available for residential development.

Development of new sections and homes in these areas will be fast-tracked through the resource consenting process.

Under the accord, TCC has the ability to recommend SHAs to the Minister of Housing. See more at: www.tauranga.govt.nz