The new home building rules for Western Bay's two fastest growing towns is back on the agenda with an independent panel appointed.

The new housing density rules were introduced to Te Puke and Ōmokoroa to enable growth and create a wider range of housing options.

These changes were initiated through the government's prescribed medium density residential standards (MDRS) that sought to achieve the growth by building up rather than out.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council has appointed Commissioner Panel Chair Greg Carlyon, and Commissioners Alan Withy, Lisa Mein and Pia Bennett to hear and provide recommendations on the new housing rules and the supporting rule changes.

This new independent panel will hear from up to 60 submitters in September, and make recommendations on our two relevant planning processes known officially as Plan Change 92 Ōmokoroa and Te Puke Enabling Housing Supply and other supporting matters, and the Notice of Requirement for Active Reserve, Ōmokoroa.

"The panel appointment comes after we've spent considerable time meeting with submitters to better understand their views," says a Western Bay of Plenty Council spokesperson.

Council's Environmental Planning Manager Natalie Rutland says that by "taking our time to understand the challenges submitters face, we were able to resolve matters before the independent hearings".

'We've spent a lot of time talking about the wide ranging implications of these new rule changes, and building relationships with submitters so we can understand the issues at hand and get the best outcomes for the community.

'While that approach is more time consuming, we're confident that we'll end up with a more robust plan change because of it.

"The government requires us to appoint an independent panel for this planning process."

The panel will make recommendations to Council, and Council or the Minister makes the final decision on the rules.

"There isn't an appeal process so it's extra important we reach the best outcomes upfront."

Housing rule refresher

The new housing rules allow more homes to be built in existing residential areas across Te Puke and Ōmokoroa, where they have access to the existing infrastructure, amenities, and community facilities.

When new home designs meet the government's pre-set density standards they do not require a resource consent, although building consents are still required.

This enables development of properties to have up to three homes up to three storeys high in existing residential neighbourhoods.

"Council's supporting rule changes seek to enable medium density living while maintaining the things about Te Puke and Ōmokoroa that their communities love, such as their respective small-town charm and a live-work-play vibe."

Changes for Ōmokoroa also include an active reserve, where recreational facilities could be developed beside the planned new school.

'Te Puke and Ōmokoroa are growing, and it's important we do what we can to ensure that growth happens in a way that's consistent with what the community wants," says Natalie.

'The housing rule changes we introduced last year are an important step on the future growth of these towns - but we'll be having more conversations on this front.

'Your thoughts on how your town should grow and what needs to be protected is important to us, and it's something we expect to delve deeper into in the near future so we can plan for your growth aspirations too.”

Some developers have already begun to adapt to the new density standards, with several new compliant or generally compliant development applications submitted to Council since August 2022, including large scale development applications in both Te Puke and in Ōmokoroa.

Next steps for new housing rules

The process from here will see a hearing date set, and submitters will be invited to present in September.

When all of the submissions have been heard the independent panel will release their recommendations for Council to consider.

Adoption of the finalised rules won't be before December this year.

For more information about the new rules for building homes in Te Puke and Ōmokoroa go to westernbay.govt.nz/housing-rules and westernbay.govt.nz/district-plan-changes.

Housing rules based on the MDRS standards were applied to towns across New Zealand who fit the government's criteria. They must be predominantly urban in character and have a population of at least 10,000 people.

Te Puke and Ōmokoroa are the only towns in the Western Bay of Plenty that fit this brief.