Demolition of the failed Bella Vista Homes development will begin in six weeks time, Tauranga City Council says.
The future of the houses has been uncertain since council settled with affected homeowners on October 31 to the tune of $14.1 million.
Offsetting the price tag was an insurance payout of $10,550,000 leaving a ratepayer-funded shortfall of $3,513,353.80.
Purchasing the homes ended the nightmare for affected homeowners who discovered their houses were deemed unsafe despite passing council building inspections.
Council was revealed to have failed in their role as a Building Consent Authority and an internal review of their building services team is still under way.
Mayor Greg Brownless said council aims to salvage what it can from the site before demolition begins. The block foundations were singled out as being a key safety issue.
"We believe the properties on Aneta Way may be able to be salvaged and repaired," he said.
"The upper levels of some of the other homes are likely to be removed, with only the block foundations being demolished.
"We are aiming to salvage what is possible before selling the homes and, or, the land."
Brownless said it was likely the land will be sold as it was in the best interests of the rate payer to do so.
Supporters of Bella Vista Homes had taken to Facebook decrying the council's decision to demolish the homes. A police complaint was even laid in a bid to prevent any demolition.
Brownless said legal experts from both sides of the impending court cast had had the opportunity to conduct inspections and will continue to have the opportunity to do so.
"Any demolition is likely to be six weeks away and, until that time, there will be further opportunity for technical inspection and viewing for legal purposes," he said.