Thank you for taking the time to have your say. We received 109 submissions via public drop-in sessions, direct surveys and emails, workshops and hui with community groups and mana whenua.

Rotorua Future Development Strategy - (PDF, 23MB)

Rotorua Future Development Strategy - (ebook)

Elected Members from Rotorua Lakes Council and Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council adopted the Rotorua Future Development Strategy (FDS) on 22 November 2023. The FDS a guide for where Rotorua will grow and develop over the next 30 years.

The FDS was developed over a period of 18 months, building on previous growth plans, population projections and local land development data. A technical evidence base was developed to inform the strategy along with direct feedback from iwi and hapū, developers, landowners, government, students and the wider community.

Public consultation opened on 1 June 2023 and hearings followed in August.

The FDS Joint Committee, which was made up of Elected Members from Rotorua Lakes Council and Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council with an independent Chairperson, approved the FDS on 24 October, recommending its adoption by the Councils subject to the changes being made.

The next step will be to develop the Implementation Plan and its coordination. The Implementation Plan will set out key projects and their associated timing and staging to support expected short, medium and long-term growth.

Central

• Potential for 1350 new homes
• Focus on managed intensification
• A range of ‘smaller’ housing types e.g. apartments, walk-ups etc.
• Mixed residential and commercial in some areas
• Infrastructure upgrades required
• Key road upgrades
• Public transport improvements
• Enhancements to pedestrian and cycling infrastructure
• Stormwater infrastructure improvements
• Open space upgrades.

Ngongotahā

• Potential for 3150 new homes
• Mix of new ‘greenfield’ development and intensification
• Could encourage industry to move to more appropriate locations
• New business land identified south of Ngongotahā
• Maintain SH5 as key tourism gateway into Rotorua
• Infrastructure upgrades required:
  • Waste, storm and drinking water infrastructure upgrades
  • Public transport improvements
  • Enhancements to pedestrian and cycling infrastructure
  • Stormwater mitigations for Ngongotahā stream
• Opportunity to work with Waka Kotahi on State Highway improvements
• Open space upgrades including sports fields
• Opportunity to work with Ministry of Education.

Westside

• Potential for 4450 new homes
• Mix of new ‘greenfield’ development and intensification
• New development areas already rezoned
• Infrastructure upgrades required:
  • Public transport improvements
  • Enhancements to pedestrian and cycling infrastructure
  • Key road upgrades
  • Stormwater infrastructure improvements

• Opportunity to work with Ministry of Education
• Open space upgrades.

Eastside

• Potential for 3350 new homes
• Mix of new ‘greenfield’ development and intensification
• New development already underway
• New business land identified along State Highway 30
• Maintain access to key transport route State Highway 30
• Infrastructure upgrades required:
  • Waste, storm and drinking water infrastructure upgrades
  • Public transport improvements
  • Enhancements to pedestrian and cycling infrastructure
  • Stormwater management

• Open space and community facility upgrades
• Opportunity to work with Ministry of Education.