Ōhoka petition handed over as fight against housing project continues

A petition calling for an 850 home development in North Canterbury to be scrapped has attracted thousands of signatures.

The petition, which wants a fast track application for the subdivision in Ōhoka to be declined, was handed over for formal submission this week.

A handover ceremony with Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon and North Canterbury-based Labour MP Dan Rosewarne was held at the Ōhoka Domain to bring the signed petition to a close.

For members of the community who attended the ceremony, it marked the next step in a five-year battle against the project.

The Waimakiriri District Council initially rejected the proposed development bid for 850 homes.

The Carter Group then appealed through the Environment Court.

It also applied for approval through the Government’s Fast-Track legislation, which allows for infrastructure and development projects to go ahead if they are seen to be of benefit regionally or nationally. 

The response from the community was negative. Some residents also question the suitability of the land, calling it swampy. 

“Houseboats would be better on that land," Arthur Simmons, an Ōhoka resident, said at the petition handover.

The petition was started by Meris Brandram Adams on August 5 and has already amassed more than 2000 signatures online.

Another resident, Phillipa Trumic was also against the project.

“We want it over, finished.” 

During the ceremony, Brandram-Adams acknowledged the support of the community, noting how long the process had been.

Mayor Dan Gordon also spoke, describing his disappointment with what he described as the misuse of the Fast-Track process. 

“I never want to see this community destroyed."

Along with four other mayors, he recently signed a statement asking the Government to pause Fast Track housing and remove the opportunity to Fast Track residential developments in rural areas in the future. 

Rosewarne agreed, saying the community needed to be involved in that decision-making. 

“Our whakapapa and iwi should always be in that discussion.”

Ōhoka resident Levinea Joris said it was nice to see everyone turn up for the ceremony.

“Through this it has created pressure and animosity, but here we are together as a family.”

Large 'No Ohoka Fast Track' signs were set up behind the speakers as the physical petition was handed over to Rosewarne.

He will take that to Wellington so it can be added to the online signatures, and then be presented to Parliament.

Residents were hoping for the same result as the recent declined Pegasus development proposal, but worried the petition won’t have as much impact.

Oxford-Ōhoka Community Board chairperson Sarah Barkle said it was a small village, but the number of signatures compared to the number of residents in the community showed the massive backing it had. 

The Carter Group declined to comment.