Thousands sign petition to prevent development fast track on North Canterbury golf course

Close to 16,000 people have signed a petition to prevent a controversial housing development on a golf course in a small North Canterbury town.

Housing developer Wolfbrook's purchase of the Pegasus Golf Course has been widely opposed by locals, the district council, and Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey.

Last week, Wolfbrook notified the council that it intended to use the fast-track consenting process to rezone the land for housing.

Pegasus Residents' Group spokesperson Matt James said the number of signatures on the petition was more than three times the population of Pegasus.

"We've been blown away by the support we've had, we've got just under 16,000 signatures," he said.

The petition highlighted the amount of passion people had for the township and their concerns about the potential misuse of the fast-track process, James said.

"I think a lot of people have got behind our petition because they're saying if it can happen to Pegasus it can happen to us.

"It's not just about Pegasus, it's not just about the golf course, it's about the impacts of the community around it. What would happen around the schooling, what would happen around the roading, any other infrastructure things."

James said the risk of the fast-track process was it gave affected parties less opportunity to have a say.

"The Waimakariri District Council have done their planning for the future, they did that only last year, they've identified the areas of growth in the district and Pegasus was never on that plan, it doesn't need to be on that plan," he said.

"The current land is zoned for a golf course and a golf course only so the only way that any development other than the golf course can happen is by going through a plan change.

"Our petition is all about maintaining that any change proposal goes through a robust process so that everyone can have a say in the future of their community."

James said the petition would be presented at Parliament late July.

Wolfbrook has been contacted for comment.

Waimakariri's mayor Dan Gordon urged the minister responsible for fast-track approvals to reject any application for referral by Wolfbrook.

"Council's view is clear: developments that sit outside established growth areas, identified in our recently consulted on and adopted district plan and which have previously been considered and rejected through district planning or other Resource Management Act processes, should not be eligible for the fast-track pathway. However, any decision on an application will ultimately rest with the ministers," he said.

"I co-signed a letter with community representatives to the minister responsible for fast-track approvals urging that any application to convert this land into housing be declined."

The council was continuing to investigate buying the golf course off Wolfbrook.

"Council is continuing to work with the Pegasus Residents Group Inc, local businesses and community members to explore a community-led purchase of the golf course. If a viable proposal can be assembled, we intend to present it to Wolfbrook as an alternative to development," Gordon said.

"The community has spoken loudly and clearly. We will continue advocating for the protection of this unique open space and support efforts to keep it in community use for future generations."