The man behind one of the Bay's biggest developments will today join the fight to save Tauranga ratepayers $17.4 million and protect community facilities such as libraries, aquatic centres and libraries.
Bluehaven Management chief executive Bill Miller, who oversees Papamoa's fast-growing Wairakei development, will speak before a select committee considering proposed housing development legislation. He will represent a group of 11 Bay developers and would get 10 minutes in front of Parliament's local government and environment select committee to highlight issues with the bill which he says would stifle the region's growth.
Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby will also have speaking rights against Housing Minister Nick Smith's amendment bill to the Local Government Act.
The bill was created to make housing more affordable. It would change how councils can spend developer contributions - levies paid when developments require council infrastructure such as roading and sewerage.
The changes would result in a revenue drop of up to $14 million each year for Tauranga City Council and ratepayers would have to cover the cost of community facilities other than playgrounds, public toilets and community halls.
Ratepayers would also be lumbered with a $17.4 million debt for ASB Arena, Baywave and Mount Greens Complex, projects currently partially covered by development contributions.
Mr Miller told the Bay of Plenty Times developer contributions should be capped at 25 per cent of the capital cost of community facilities "for certainty" but developers had no issue paying for them.
Developers did not want to leave ratepayers with a $17.4 million shortfall, he said.