Independent chairman of SmartGrowth, Bill Wasley, is questioning the source of information in a newspaper article that criticised the organisation's strategy of promoting intensive housing.



Information in the article referred to a report by economist Rodney Dickens.
Bill says he questions the source of the report because it was commissioned for a paying client and had not been released publicly.
"On that basis it is inappropriate to offer comment on it."
This is certainly an important topic for the community to consider and SmartGrowth is currently undertaking some work comparing Tauranga land and building costs with other cities - especially in southeast Queensland which has similar growth pressures," says Bill.
Bill says funding growth remains the number one challenge facing the local authorities and he welcomes any well-informed views that contribute to the funding discussion.
"The issue of land and building costs will be discussed by the SmartGrowth Implementation committee at its April meeting."