Consultation opens for new Bethlehem subdivision

Smiths Farm

Tauranga City Councillors decided at their meeting today to formally proceed with public consultation on a proposal for sale of land and establishment of a Special Housing Area at Smiths Farm, Bethlehem.

Detailed consultation information will be available online no later than Tuesday, October 27 and a public open day has been confirmed for Thursday, November 5 (3-7pm) in Bethlehem.

Smiths Farm is a Council-owned site between Cambridge Rd and Takitimu Drive. It was previously earmarked for new sportsfields development but is now surplus to sportsfields requirements.

The Council is considering an option that would accommodate for the city's growth by allowing and fast-tracking urban development in the Smith's Farm area.

This would be achieved by establishing some of the Rural Residential land as a Special Housing Area, allowing for suburban residential development.

Council proposes to sell part of the Smiths Farm land regardless of whether it proceeds as a Special Housing Area.

The Council has already consulted on this general proposal through the 2015-25 Long Term Plan and is now seeking the community's specific thoughts about the proposed sale of the Smiths Farm site. The land may be sold either before or after its development.