Fast-track - What is it?

The Fast-track approvals process provides a streamlined process for obtaining resource consents and other approvals for infrastructure, housing, and development projects that have significant regional or national benefits.

It is not a Council-led process. It bypasses council consenting and decision-making under the Resource Management Act (RMA).

The Fast-track process is something Council doesn’t have a decision-making role in.

While Councils have some limited input and representation, the final approval decision sits with an independent Expert Panel operating under the Fast-track Approvals Act.

Learn more by visiting the Fast-track approvals website.

Projects in Waimakariri currently being considered

Please note : The Fast-track process is something Council doesn’t have a decision-making role in. This information is being shared for community awareness.

There are limitied opportunities for Council to provide comments. Other parties are also involved at different stages of the process. More information is available at the ‘Process guidance for local authorities’ section of the fast track site.

• Gressons Road Development.
  The project will enable the subdivision and development of approximately 1,500 homes and supporting community features including public and active transport connections, green spaces and infrastructure on a site adjoining existing residential and commercial development
• Ōhoka Residential Subdivision.
  The project would comprise: 850 houses and a commercial mixed/use centre, and a school and/or retirement village. Further information is available on the Ministry for the Environment's website - here.  A substantive application has been lodged with the EPA.  It will be assessed for completeness and scope as outlined here - www.fasttrack.govt.nz/process/substantive-application
  
  Update 21.08.26:
  
  The Panel Convenor held a meeting on 17 August 2026 with WDC, ECan, the applicant, DOC and Heritage NZ. This was recorded and can be viewed on the Fast-track website (see the link at the end of this update). Following the meeting, Minute 5 was released, which confirms the appointment of the independent expert panel and sets out the timetable for the application. The Panel includes Peter Christensen, who was jointly nominated by WDC and ECan. Peter is a Chartered Professional Engineer who has 30 years experience in flood management and stormwater engineering. He’s also a qualified Hearing Commissioner.
  
  Key dates for the application are: By 14 September 2026 - Comments will be invited from WDC, ECan, iwi, adjoining neighbours and other participants, as identified by the Environmental Protection Authority. By 12 October 2026 - Comments from the above parties will be due. By 19 October 2026 - The applicant's response will be due. By 10 March 2027 – The Panel is expected to issue its decision. Other dates will be set by the panel during the process.
  
  Minute 5 also identifies key matters that remain outstanding, including: water supply, stormwater and wastewater servicing, environmental effects, and the project's wider benefits.
  
  The Panel Convener is encouraging further engagement between the applicant and Council on technical matters to help clarify outstanding issues and narrow matters requiring determination by the panel. Council staff and our consultants will participate in the process, and will provide technical information and comments on outstanding issues. Meetings are currently being held between relevant experts.
  
  All Minutes can be found - https://www.fasttrack.govt.nz/projects/Ohoka-residential-subdivision/correspondence
  
  All meetings can be found - https://www.fasttrack.govt.nz/projects/Ohoka-residential-subdivision/conferences,-workshops-and-hearings
• West Rangiora Residential Development.
  Staged subdivision and development of approximately 40 hectares of land, to create approximately 700-780 residential units (400-480 in stage 1, and 300 in stage 2), with associated road and service areas
• Beachgrove Kaiapoi Expansion Project.
  Residential development located north of Beachgrove, comprising of 650-900 additional housing units in Kaiapoi.
• State Highway 1 North Canterbury – Woodend Bypass Project (Belfast to Pegasus).
  To extend the SH1 Christchurch Northern Corridor between Belfast and Pegasus by constructing 4km of motorway or expressway to bypass the Woodend township, to create a safe, efficient route, with travel time savings and benefits.
• Whiterock Quarry and Managed Fill.
  Construct and operate a Class 3 Managed Landfill (connected to an existing lime quarry) at Whiterock, Loburn, Canterbury (approx 25km nortwest of Rangiora).
  
  Whiterock Lime Limited has notified Council of its intention to lodge a referral application under the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024. A referral application for the same proposal was lodged in 2025 and was declined. The new application is supported by a more detailed economic assessment. Council has provided pre-application comments and is now waiting for the application to be lodged with the Environmental Protection Authority.
  
  NOTE: The project is at the pre-application consultation stage and as such, there isn't information on the Fast-track website yet. When the application is lodged, it will be a Referral Application, which seeks approval for the project to be considered under the Fast-track Approvals Act.  If the referral application is granted, then a Substantive Application will be lodged which will seek approval for the project itself.
• Pegasus West Development Project (Pegasus Golf Course).
  Wolfbrook Developments Limited lodged an application under the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024 on the 29^th July 2026 seeking referral of the proposed Pegasus West Development to the Fast-track approvals process. The proposal comprises approximately 1,000 residential lots and a commercial and community node on the former Pegasus Golf and Sports Club site.
  
  On 19 August 2026, the Minister for Infrastructure declined the referral application under sections 21(4) and 21(5)(b) of the Act. The Minister considered that the matters requiring approval would be more appropriately dealt with under another Act or Acts. The proposal will therefore not proceed through the Fast-track approvals process, under this application.
  
  NOTE: The applicant could re-apply through Fast-track or pursue other planning and consenting pathways available under other legislation, including making applications under the Resource Management Act 1991.

Under fast-track can community input be considered?

The Act does not require community participation and it does not allow panels to give public or limited notification for comments.

Community input is considered primarily through council representation (which is limited in scope), invited comments, and potential hearings, rather than through the open public submission process that normally applies under the RMA.