The mayors of Waimakariri and Selwyn are backing calls for a pause and review of Fast-track housing decisions.
Waimakariri District Mayor Dan Gordon and Selwyn District Mayor Lydia Gliddon have written to the Minister responsible for RMA Reform and Infrastructure, supporting calls from Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown and Queenstown Lakes Mayor John Glover for a pause while the Fast-track pathway is reviewed. 
Mayor Gordon says Fast-track is being used to ignore local voices and force through unsuitable development in some districts/cities when there is more than enough land already zoned and ready to be connected.
“In Waimakariri we have capacity for up to 17,000 new homes already. What we’re seeing is Fast-track applications come in for places that are not suitable at all.
“My view is there is no need to pursue development in unsuitable areas, or against community wishes, when we already have the capacity and connections to infrastructure sorted.”
Gordon says that includes proposals such as Ōhoka, which has been independently reviewed and declined already, and Pegasus Golf Course.
“While our councils support the intended use of Fast Track for complex projects that require multiple consents and are of regional or national significance like major infrastructure projects such as the Woodend Bypass, we do not believe it should be used to push through wholesale development without understanding whether projects fit the needs and realities of the district.”
Mayor Lydia Gliddon says Selwyn’s recently reviewed District Plan also already provides significant capacity.
“In Selwyn we are known for and plan well ahead for growth. Our recently adopted District Plan provides capacity for 32,760 homes over the next 30 years, supported by planned infrastructure and services. We welcome growth, but it needs to happen in a way that communities and infrastructure can keep pace with.
“On top of this we face multiple Fast-track proposals that could add a further 8,000 houses, most of which sit outside Council's planned infrastructure investment. Our concern isn't growth itself, its ensuring growth is supported by the roads, water, transport and community facilities residents rely on.
“We also want to ensure local communities have a meaningful opportunity to understand these proposals and share their views on how growth should be planned and managed.
“We welcome the announcement today by minister Bishop and Minister Watts around ensuring the costs of these developments can be recovered, but we are still concerned about the scale of Fast-track and lack of community input,” Gliddon says.
“Because of this we are joining the call for a pause and review until this can be resolved and communities can have faith in this pathway.”