But a spokesperson for Mr Bishop said the Fast-track Approvals Act \u2018\u2018does not provide for a pause\u2019\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018It provides for people to apply and for decisions to be made in accordance with the Act.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
Mr Gordon said regardless, the view of the two councils was there needed to be a pause and review.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018We do not believe it (Fast-track) should be used to push through wholesale development in areas with more than enough capacity or without understanding whether projects fit the needs and realities of the district.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
The mayors\u2019 letter follows similar calls from Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown and Queenstown Lakes Mayor John Glover.<\/p>\n
Mr Gordon said the Fast-track approvals process was being used to bypass local voices and force through developments which have already been declined under the Resource Management Act planning process.<\/p>\n
The partially operative Waimakariri District Plan, adopted last year, opened up land for up to 17,000 new homes.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018What we\u2019re seeing is Fast-track applications come in for places that are not suitable at all,\u2019\u2019 Mr Gordon said.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018My 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.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
A proposed housing development at \u014choka, between Kaiapoi and Rangiora, has been independently reviewed and declined twice, but is now being considered under the Fast-track approvals process.<\/p>\n
Another proposal to convert the Pegasus Golf Course into housing has been sent to Mr Bishop\u2019s office, seeking a referral to the Fast-track process.<\/p>\n
Mr Gordon and Ms Gliddon said their councils supported the use of Fast-track approvals for complex projects requiring multiple consents and which were of regional or national significance, like the Woodend Bypass.<\/p>\n
Selwyn\u2019s recently reviewed District Plan provides capacity for 32,760 homes over the next 30 years, Ms Gliddon said.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018We welcome growth, but it needs to happen in a way that communities and infrastructure can keep pace with.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
The cost of providing infrastructure often fell on ratepayers.<\/p>\n
But the mayors welcomed a Government announcement on Friday, August 14, of changes to ensure the costs of housing developments can be recovered.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018Councils have told us they are not able to effectively recover the costs of enabling infrastructure for growth, particularly when it comes to unplanned or out-of-sequence developments,\u2019\u2019 Mr Bishop said.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018The Government\u2019s position is that growth should pay for growth and we are building a flexible infrastructure funding and financing system to match our new, flexible planning system.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
The Government is replacing development contributions with a new development levies system.<\/p>\n
Mr Bishop said final policy decisions will be announced soon, with legislation to follow.<\/p>\n
The new system is expected to be in place from 2029.<\/p>\n
New fast-track site launched<\/p>\n
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