But a group of local residents is disappointed foreshore buildings were not limited to two storey.

The Building Height and Design (City Centre Zone) Development Plan Amendment (DPA) was approved last week, putting a limit on building heights in the central business district for the first time.

The majority of the foreshore will be limited to three storey or 12 metre high development, with an additional storey allowed on corner sites, while the foreshore block between Bligh Street and Eyre Street will be limited to five storey or 20 metre high development with an additional storey on the corner blocks.

The Port Lincoln Hotel site and land on the foreshore side of King Street from the yacht club to the silos have a seven storey or 28 metre limit; and the tallest buildings will be allowed between Washington Street and King Street.

A spokesman for the acting Minister for Urban Development and Planning Patrick Conlon said the building height limits in the DPA provided a practical compromise between retaining the coastal character of the city centre and providing sufficient development potential to accommodate economic growth and urban renewal.

"The heights proposed aim to preserve important views while providing a consistent urban form that takes advantage of Port Lincoln's topography and coastal setting," the spokesperson said.

The Community Action Group opposed to the amended Building Height and Design DPA is disappointed it has been approved but will continue to fight to have the height limits reduced.

The group met on the weekend and will make a submission to the General and Better Development Plan DPA before consultation closes at 5pm on Thursday.

The General and Better Development Plan DPA will convert its existing Development Plan policy, which now includes the new building height limits, by adopting the relevant planning policy modules, structure and format of the Better Development Plan.

Action group spokesperson Musharella Puglisi said the group would like to see the building heights in the CBD and foreshore area limited to two storey, or 10 metres.

"We have actually done a professional survey with a builder and have surveyed 18 of the highest buildings in Port Lincoln, not including the Port Lincoln Hotel, and the average high right through the CBD is 9.38 metres," she said.