Western Bay of Plenty District Council has tweaked its Matakana Island Plan ahead of the looming Environment Court deadline.

Council decided yesterday to place a cap on the number of lots developers can create on the island in an effort to balance commercial growth and Maori community use. Council is looking at 101 lots, while developers want 164.

Council has approved a cap on the number of land developments on Matakana Island.

Council were also advised the forested sand barrier along the ocean foreshore is a low tsunami risk because of the 100-150 metres wide and five to seven metres high frontal dune system.

The vote on the change was sped up as timeline set by the Environment Court means any changes have to be notified before September 30.

At a heated Strategy and Policy Committee meeting council accepted the proposed plan change while developers and Matakana Island residents continue haggling on the number of proposed subdivision lots on the island.

A decision to place a cap was passed 9-3 with councillors Norm Mayo, Michael Pittar and Margaret Murray-Benge in opposition.

But Matakana tangata whenua is standing firm in opposing the proposed development in what they believe is sacred Maori land stolen from them in 1860.

'There is no tangible value. If anything it is going to bring more complications and risks to our people,” says a Donna Poka.

Things got more heated when councillor Michael Pittar questioned whether Tangata Whenua are being forward in their one-dimensional perspective given the land is currently free hold.

'That land was stolen from us and belongs to us,” retorted Donna.

'We are a resilient, tenacious people who will not be going anywhere. Our people won't go away and won't sell up. We are home and this is where we want to be and have to be.”

In May council adopted the plan in an integrated approach to guide land use and development on the island.

Council say the plan is a stand-alone document highlighting the complex cultural, social, economic and natural environment of the island. Although the plan does not have legal power in its own right, it will be given effect through to changes to council's District Plan.

Carrus Corporation financial controller Jim Lochhead, and Blakely Pacific Limited, support the opportunity for a workable economic development on the island housing what he proposes as 164 sections – a significant drop from the original 1000.

'It will be in 20 to 30 lots per stage. The market is reasonably hot at the moment but the overall time frame is about eight years to complete the whole lot and sell them,” says Jim.

'Anything less than 164 becomes uneconomic.”