New home building rules nailed down
Rules to help fast-track much-needed housing in Ōmokoroa and Te Puke are now in place.
Western Bay of Plenty District Council decided formally to make changes to its planning rules that will allow up to three homes of up to three storeys on a single site in the two towns, from 13 March 2024 – in line with the government’s medium-density residential standards.
Known officially as ‘Plan Change 92 Ōmokoroa and Te Puke Enabling Housing Supply and Other Supporting Matters’, it means more houses can be built in existing residential areas with access to the infrastructure, amenities, and community facilities that are already in place. Homes that meet the standards do not require resource consents but will still need building consents.
The nine density standards include allowing three homes on a site and houses up to 11-metres high. Half of a site can be covered in buildings, and there are also requirements to provide outdoor living space and on-site landscaping.
Te Puke and Ōmokoroa are the only two towns in the District that have existing or planned urban populations which fit the brief for the new law – earmarked for greater housing intensification.
The Plan Change also zones new land for housing in these towns such as Stage 3 of Ōmokoroa (including Prole and Francis roads) and Seddon Street in Te Puke. These areas will have similar rules to those being introduced for the existing residential areas.
Western Bay Mayor James Denyer says these new rules create more certainty and guidance for both Council and developers to help address housing shortages.
“We’ll now have better control over the types of homes that are being built and ensure there is a strong connection between private and public spaces to enhance the character of our communities.
“It’s now up to us to think innovatively on how we use the rules to deliver a range of modern housing opportunities that meet the needs of our community, not only today but into the future.
“We are also in the process of producing a spatial plan for Te Puke, to understand what the population growth of the town and wider area is likely to be over the next 30 years, and what land might be needed for housing and business development to support that population.”
Housing is a fundamental need that currently is not being met in many of the Western Bay sub-region, with the population growing faster than the national average and our community experiencing a housing shortage.
Mayor James says while these rules aim to create more positive housing outcomes and alleviate pressure on the housing system, careful planning and consideration has gone into ensuring they work for the District’s specific needs and character.
An independent panel provided recommendations on the new housing rules and the supporting rule changes, and Council recommended alternative rules for the minister to decide on where it doesn’t agree with what the panel recommended.
“Council is committed to providing housing that is affordable and meets the differing needs of our people.
“Growth and density comes with challenges. Councillors were rightly concerned about the roading capacity in and out of Ōmokoroa, improved opportunities for public transport in the future and ensuring houses are designed in a way that create great outcomes and do not hinder essential services,” explains Mayor James
A new interim roundabout is soon to be constructed at the Ōmokoroa Road intersection with State Highway 2 which will address safety issues and provide capacity for the large part of Ōmokoroa’s future growth over the longer term.
The other decision related to Plan Change 92 approves approximately 10 hectares of new active reserve to cater for Ōmokoroa’s increasing population. This is located on the corner of Prole and Ōmokoroa roads and will be developed within the next 10 years.
To support a growing community, it is important that sufficient land is secured in strategic locations so that as the town grows the recreational facilities to meet the community’s needs can also expand. The reserve is intended to include playing fields and indoor recreational facilities.
What it means for Ōmokoroa and Te Puke
For more information about the new rules for building homes in Ōmokoroa and Te Puke go to our Medium Density Residential Standards page and District Plan Changes.
Housing rules based on the Medium Density Residential Standards were applied to towns across Aotearoa which fit the government’s criteria. They must be predominantly urban in character and have a population of at least 5000 people at the 2018 census or are planned to grow to over 10,000. Te Puke and Ōmokoroa are the only towns in the Western Bay of Plenty that fit this brief.
The previous government made these rules mandatory for existing residential areas.
