Housing shortage: city leaders plead for help
‘Many of the issues we face are under the direct control of government'
Tauranga City Council has told the Government it cannot cope with its skyrocketing population and demand on infrastructure, warning of a critical housing shortfall.
Council commissioners have written to Environment Minister David Parker to notify him the council cannot meet its expectations under the National Policy Statement – Urban Development Capacity Requirements.
The letter is pulished in a report for a council meeting next week.
The letter says Tauranga is heading for a shortfall of 1119 homes in the next three years, even with 3188 new homes expected to be built in that time.
The shortfall was expected to increase to 1637 within 30 years, despite ongoing efforts to cater for growth.
The letter warned this shortfall could hit 5000 homes if there were further delays in releasing land for development at Tauriko and Te Tumu. It would be worse still if the council’s intensification plans were not achieved.
The letter was jointly signed by the four commissioners Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta appointed to govern the troubled council in February: Bill Wasley, Shad Rolleston, Stephen Selwood and chairwoman Anne Tolley.
In the letter, they pleaded for help from the Government. While work was under way to tackle some city challenges, the letter said “the majority of issues are outside the control of the council”.
“Many of the issues we face are under the direct control of government and we seek to build on our existing partnership to address them together to ensure we deliver not just enough new homes, but the right type and right-priced homes for our community. “Alternative growth options simply do not exist in the city, so we collectively need to make these options work for everyone, and in a timely manner.” The
National Policy Statement requires councils to provide sufficient development for housing in the short, medium and long term. This involves assessment of plans, infrastructure, development expectations and what is realistic — but Tauranga is unable.
In 2018 the Census estimated 142,100 people lived in Tauranga City. This is projected to rise to 166,300 by 2028 and 199,100 by 2048.
The neighbouring Western Bay of Plenty District had 53,300 residents on Census night and is projected to hit 60,900 in 2028 and 68,000 in 2048.