AN application for a five-storey development on the Port Lincoln foreshore will be exempt from new building height limits because it was submitted after the interim building height limits lapsed in August and before the amended height limits were approved by Planning Minister Paul Holloway in January.

During these months there were no height restrictions on buildings in the city centre and this application, from developer Carramatta Holdings, will have to be considered under the old development plan before the restrictions were introduced.

The proposed mixed-used retail, office and residential development is on the site of the Centrelink building at 86 to 89 Tasman Terrace (next to Bank SA).

Under the new development plan buildings would have been limited to three-storey on this site.

The building would be a category one development, meaning it would not go to public consultation.

It has not been decided whether the application will be considered by the Port Lincoln City Council's Development Assessment Panel or dealt with by staff.

Port Lincoln City Council planning consultant Jodie Isle said the application had only been lodged in part and the council was waiting for further supporting information.

Carramatta Holdings had previously submitted a development application for a taller high rise building on this site but it was withdrawn and this new application submitted.