The mayor said the new district plan already included capacity for plenty of new homes while ensuring the golf course maintained its special designation as part of the country\u2019s first master-planned town.<\/p>\n
His proposal for the council to put together a consortium to try to buy the golf course back was met with loud applause and cheers from the crowd.<\/p>\n
A crowd of more than 450 filled the hall to capacity, as another hundred or so stood outside. Photo \/ RNZ, Keiller MacDuff<\/p>\n
Mayor Gordon urged anyone with the means to partner with the council to come forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s been a lot of people expressed strongly to me their appetite to help \u2013 now\u2019s their time to pony up and let me know if there are some viable funding options.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll put those together and then take that proposition back to council for their endorsement.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said that included any of the other parties who had made offers on the course \u2013 he understood there were five others \u2013 as well as golfing organisations.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnyone who wants to protect the course and the amenity of what it\u2019s provided with the beautiful landscape that\u2019s there, let me know because we want to have a conversation with you about how we can put together a package and a consortium to safeguard the golf course for the future.\u201d<\/p>\n
A packed public meeting at the Pegasus Bay School opposing the purchase of Pegasus’ 18-hole championship golf course by housing developer Wolfbrook. Photo \/ RNZ, Keiller MacDuff<\/p>\n
Pegasus Residents\u2019 Group president Matt James told the meeting Wolfbrook confirmed on Tuesday it planned to apply for Fast Track approval.<\/p>\n
He said that raised fears the company would seek to override local planning rules, reduce community input, undermine the district plan and the original vision for Pegasus.<\/p>\n
He was hopeful that with bipartisan political support, the council, iwi and residents working together, there was a chance they could save the golf course.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s still a David and Goliath to some extent, especially from the residents\u2019 perspective against the big corporate, but we have to hope that with all these strands pulling together, we have an opportunity to turn it around.\u201d<\/p>\n
James said it was not a matter of Nimbyism, or even just about the golf course, and that parts of the town\u2019s infrastructure were already strained.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe medical centre has a waiting list for people to sign up for, the school is close to being at capacity, there are already water drainage issues today, let alone putting a new subdivision in, the people who commute into Christchurch will tell you the roundabout is a major challenge today.\u201d<\/p>\n
The overflow crowd listen to the meeting from outside. Photo \/ RNZ, Keiller MacDuff<\/p>\n
A Parliamentary petition launched days ago by the group had gathered more than 5000 signatures.<\/p>\n
Wolfbrook declined to comment, saying it would not be making any statements while it continued to work directly with stakeholders.<\/p>\n
Te Ng\u0101i T\u016b\u0101huriri representative Tania Wati told the meeting that Ng\u0101i Tahu would be invited to comment on any Fast Track application.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are currently involved in every Fast Track that sits in the Canterbury region and most times our comments aren\u2019t heard, so be very clear about that.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said the iwi\u2019s comments were based on both cultural and infrastructural concerns.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf there\u2019s a subdivision that\u2019s looking at building 800 houses, we want to better understand where the medical centres are, we want to better understand where the school\u2019s going.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ng\u0101i Tahu deputy kaiwhakahaere Tania Wati. Photo \/ RNZ, Keiller MacDuff<\/p>\n
Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey told the crowd he opposed both the project and the proposed use of the Fast Track Act, and had told Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop as much.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think there\u2019s a real opportunity here to stand up as a council and all you are doing as well, so I\u2019m here tonight to pledge my support.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not a Fast Track fundamentalist \u2013 Fast Track has a place. Technically, it\u2019s about speeding up the consenting process. We know things like renewable energy consents have taken on average eight years \u2013 too long.<\/p>\n
Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey speaking from amid the large crowd at the public meeting. Photo \/ RNZ, Keiller MacDuff<\/p>\n
\u201cBut actually, there\u2019s a time and place when things should not be used in Fast Track, and this is one of them,\u201d Doocey said.<\/p>\n
Long-time resident Melody McCombe and her husband Mike Johnson moved to Pegasus after the Christchurch earthquakes, and said they had never looked back.<\/p>\n
The wildlife, outdoors and green space was part of what they loved about the town, as well as the connection to the Kaiapoi P\u0101 and Waitaha urupa for Johnson, who is Ng\u0101i Tahu.<\/p>\n
McCombe said there was a huge depth of feeling in the community, something she hoped would be heard in Wellington given the upcoming election.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a safe National seat \u2013 it\u2019s like Matt Doocey, listen up! He better listen and make sure Chris Bishop gets the message.\u201d<\/p>\n