Height limit proposed for Tahiti buildings

5:50 pm on 6 March 2019

An advisory body in French Polynesia has recommended a height limit for new buildings of 50 metres.

The Economic, Social and Cultural Council voted for the limit ahead of the adoption of new local building laws.

The laws are needed to launch the South Pacific's largest tourism project, the Tahitian Village.

French Polynesian politician Teva Rohfritsch

French Polynesian politician Teva Rohfritsch Photo: Supplied / Présidence de la Polynésie française

However, the Council expressed reservations about French Polynesia's capacity to handle fire safety for such tall buildings.

The vice-president Teva Rohfritsch said the intention was to allow for buildings up to ten storeys high.

Negotiations with a New Zealand company Kaitiaki Tagaloa to build the resort complex on Tahiti are about to enter their final stage.

Mr Rohfritsch says he will travel to New Zealand next week and talks with the company will wrap up on 22 March.

He says once a deal has been finalised he expects construction work on the $US700 million resort to begin right away.

A 48-metre high hotel project in Papeete is also awaiting the new law to be approved.

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