It’s a common sense decision and I would like to commend Minister Chris Bishop for listening to our community.

“I want to acknowledge the extraordinary efforts of the Pegasus Residents Group, who have led the community response from the beginning. They organised, advocated, gathered more than 16,000 signatures and took their case all the way to Parliament. This result belongs first and foremost to them and the community.

The wider challenge for due process, however, is not over.

The proposed Ohoka development remains before Fast-track, despite having already been considered and declined twice through established planning processes.

As I made clear in my letter to the Minister, this is not about opposing growth. Waimakariri is one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing districts and we have capacity for up to 17,000 new homes over the next 30 years, accommodating around 50,000 new residents.

What we are asking for is a review of how Fast-track is applied in districts like ours that already have significant planned capacity for residential growth.

The Council supports Fast-track for complex projects of regional or national significance, particularly major infrastructure such as the Woodend Bypass. However, we do not believe it should provide an alternative pathway for wholesale residential developments that do not recognise and respect locally developed District Plans and growth strategies, or are planned for areas that are not suitable for development.

Today, however, belongs to Pegasus. Well done, again to the residents’ group for your ongoing and tireless efforts.”