A number of property developers are eyeing Tauranga City's new Social Housing Accord to fast track up to 2,000 new homes in Papamoa East.

Tauranga City Council has been approached by five developers wishing to fall under the Housing Accord and Special Housing Area legislation to deliver their development plans in the suburb.

Tauranga City councillors Steve Morris (left) and Matt Cowley at Golden Sands where developments are proposed. Photo: Bruce Barnard.

This is the second Special Housing Area proposal to be consulted on, with the first at 162 Waihi Road, Judea.

The developers are Papamoa Junction, Zariba, Nga Potiki, Hawridge Developments and Golden sands, with the proposed number of dwellings ranging from 100 to 600.

All proposals are for residential type subdivisions but only Nga Potiki has outlined a 'significant focus on delivering affordable housing.

Tauranga City Mayor Stuart Crosby says the proposals are an example of council and developers working together to address complex planning issues, including housing affordability and supply.

He says: 'With the Tauranga Housing Accord now in place, it gives us the ability to speed up the consenting process for areas, like Papamoa East, where there is a clear demand for housing.”

In total the proposed developments would provide capacity for nearly 2,000 new houses, which would be developed over a period of five years or longer.

To educate and discuss the applications with residents, the council is holding a public open day next Tuesday, October 14, from 3pm-7pm in Papamoa (see below).

Mount Maunagnui/Papamoa councillor Steve Morris says: 'It's quite important for the people who are down there to have their say on it because they are going to be living right next to it.

'I'm calling on all residents to have their say as part of the SHA.”

Steve adds the main point of the proposal is to increase the number of consented sections from 1,000 to 1,400 being completed in Golden Sands and Palm Springs prior to a second road connection to Papamoa East being completed through the extension of Te Okuroa Dr.

This extension is programmed to be finished in 2018 and project completion is on schedule.

According to council, 1,400 dwellings may result in traffic volumes on Papamoa Beach Rd exceeding the threshold identified in the City Plan of 14,300 vehicles per day for up to 18 months.

Traffic volumes on Papamoa Beach Rd would reduce once Te Okuroa Dr was connected through to Golden Sands and Palm Springs.

If traffic volumes did increase beyond the current threshold, Council would deliver improvements to Papamoa Beach Rd in the form of a new roundabout at Palm Springs Boulevard and two pedestrian crossings to address safety concerns.

This would be in addition to the planned roundabout at the Parton Rd intersection programmed for 2017 and the four pedestrian refuges currently being built.

Details of each developer proposal can be found at here, along with information about how the public can give feedback. Feedback must be received by 5pm on October 28, 2014.

Papamoa East Special Housing Areas open day:

Golden Sands Primary School Hall, 26 Golden Sands Drive, Papamoa

Tuesday, October 14, from 3pm-7pm.

Council staff and developer representatives will be on hand to answer questions.