Newsletter: Devonport Heritage Taking Legal Action Over Fast Track Proposal
Spokesperson McRae
Devonport Heritage is applying to the High Court for a Judicial Review of
Minister Bishop’s decision to refer the Peninsula Capital proposal to Fast
Track.
We have engaged Alan Webb KC, to take the case which will challenge the
Minister’s decision-making process.
We believe there are deep flaws with the Fast Track process which has
effectively become a rubber stamp exercise for numerous housing
developments around the country.
Once applications are referred it appears to be difficult if not impossible to
decline them and that has led to some irrational outcomes.
This is a huge step and we have not taken it lightly. We have thoroughly
researched and considered this move as it will be expensive and involve a
big fund raising effort.
But there has been a groundswell of anger in Devonport against Peninsula
Capital’s proposal especially over the building heights. We have received a
huge number of new supporters and many ideas for stopping the Fast
Track process.
Ultimately we decided the only real way of halting that process is to get the
High Court to decide whether Chris Bishop’s decision was lawful and
followed the correct process.
Communities all around New Zealand are outraged about how housing
developers are side-stepping local comment and planning rules by being
pushed through Fast Track.
It is all speed and no care and we hope our legal action will lead to better
decision making.
We are now part of a nationwide group of communities from Queenstown
and Ohoka in the South Island to Waimaukau in Auckland that are sharing
our knowledge and working together to fight Fast Track.
Thank you to all those who have made donations, put up signs and given
us your ideas and support. We have plans afoot for selling customized T
shirts and tote bags to raise funds.
Thank you to Grant Alexander for donating his artwork, Wrong Track
banner that raised $500 for us at a silent auction at Satellite Gallery. And
many thanks to endemic world Art prints & Painting for producing the
banner.
We are now stepping up our campaign and are asking everyone to spread
the word to others who care about Devonport’s future.
Give generously in order to protect our unique and beautiful place from this
over-height development.
We have launched a Give a Little campaign to raise funds for the legal battle, or you can donate directly to our bank account through our website
