'Future generations left dealing with consequences': Hundreds fight fast-track house plans

A petition has been launched urging MPs to stop a planned development in northwest Auckland and other residential fast-track projects that aren’t in the council’s future growth plans.

Over 630 people have already signed the petition in the two days since it was launched on Parliament’s website.

The Waimauku West development, now known as Pukeatua, plans for 1600 homes to be built on a ridge above the town over the next 15-20 years.

But locals are worried it’ll add to flooding in the area and worsen traffic congestion.

The developer, Mark Francis, told the Herald he was confident stringent conditions would be placed on the project.

The petition asks MPs to amend the law, the Fast-Track Approvals Act 2025, to say: “Prohibit the approval of the Waimauku West fast-track development, and to prohibit approval for other housing outside areas identified for future growth unless necessary public infrastructure is planned and funded.”

Their push joins outrage growing around the country over the number of residential developments that have applied for fast-track approval, including Delmore, near Ōrewa.

Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop is amending the law to allow councils to charge fast-track developers more in development fees.

The mayors of Auckland, Queenstown, Selwyn, Tauranga and Waimakariri have joined forces to call on Bishop to put a pause on any new developments, over concerns the projects would be out of step with local government growth plans.

But Bishop said he can’t do that under the law as it stands.

The Waimauku Community Association says: “We are facing an out-of-sequence fast-track housing development that could change our community for good.

“The fast-track process should not silence the people who will live with the consequences. Communities deserve a say when major developments affect roads, flooding, services and everyday life.

“We all know our community will continue to grow. The real question is whether infrastructure will keep pace, or whether local residents will bear the cost through longer commutes, worsening congestion and increasing pressure on already stretched roads.

“The decisions being made today will shape Waimauku for decades to come. If we don’t get this right now, future generations will be left dealing with the consequences.”

Kaipara ki Mahurangi MP Chris Penk is also publicly opposing the development and has met with community members about their concerns.

“We’re pleased to have the support from Chris Penk MP who has said he will support this petition and present it to Parliament,” the group’s spokeswoman Tatjana Ratsdorf said.

The petition has been shared by other communities opposing proposals in their areas, including the Pegasus Residents’ Group.

The fast-track panel declined Woolfbrook’s proposal to build 1000 homes in Canterbury, but the developers have vowed to carry on.

On the parliamentary website, the reason for the petition is described as: “Waimauku West proposes up to 2020 dwellings in Rural Production Zone outside Auckland’s Future Development Strategy growth areas.

“Auckland Council opposed referral, citing insufficient information, flooding, infrastructure and traffic concerns. The site is outside planned growth areas for Auckland. We are concerned that the project risks worsening downstream flooding, increasing pressure on congested SH16, and causing adverse impacts out of proportion to its regional or national benefits.”

Developer Mark Francis at the Pukeatua, Waimauku West development site near Waimauku. Photo / Jason Dorday

Francis earlier told the Herald that other controversial fast-track proposals had muddied the waters for developments such as Pukeatua.

“The story is as old as time in development,” he said in an interview earlier this month.

“You go back to the leaky buildings stuff, there’s always someone cutting corners, giving developers a bad name.

“But I think that’s where you’ve just got to look at the track record of the people involved and what we have done and are doing. And I think if people do look at our track record, they’ll probably back us to deliver a great outcome here.”

The petition closes on September 21 and will then be referred to a parliamentary committee to be considered by MPs.

Katie Bradford is a Senior Correspondent at the Herald. She has been a broadcast journalist for over 20 years and was based in the press gallery for 10 years. She specialises in politics, business and Auckland issues.