Fallout over high rises on the horizon for Mount Maunganui

The outgoing Tauranga City Council Commissioners have signed off a plan which allows for the northern part of the Mount Maunganui to build higher, which could mean six storey buildings dotting the seaside settlement. An independent hearing panel recommended planning heights for the Mount downtown area should remain at 12 metres, or four storeys high, in accordance with Medium Density Residential Standards. This wasn't accepted by the council, so now a change to the city wide planning rule - Plan Change 33 - is before the Minister for Housing, Insfrastructure and RMA Reform. Local Property developer Peter Cooney says although he could make money out of such a venture, he's against this intensification prospect He talks to Kathryn along with Resource Management Specialist lawyer and Chair of the Mount Business Association Kate Barry-Piceno.