The draft decision on the Ashbourne Fast-track application has been released by the independent Expert Panel.

Under the Government’s Fast-track Approvals Act 2024, decisions on Fast-track projects are made by central government rather than councils. This means we do not decide whether a project is approved. Instead, our role is to provide technical information when asked, and - if a project is approved - to monitor compliance with any conditions the Panel sets.

Staff are now reviewing the draft conditions for the Ashbourne project and will prepare the technical comments the Panel has invited before it makes its final decision.

Chief Executive Manaia Te Wiata says the organisation will continue to play its part constructively within the national process:

“We will review the draft conditions and offer technical comment to the Panel where appropriate. The Panel will consider this feedback before finalising its decision, which is consistent with the process for all Fast-track applications. While the decision doesn’t sit with us, we remain focused on supporting good outcomes for our community within the role that the Fast-track legislation sets out for councils.”

— Manaia Te Wiata, Chief Executive

Mayor Ash says the community’s reaction to the proposal has come through loud and clear, and it highlights wider concerns about how Fast-track projects align with council planning:

“We know this proposal has stirred up plenty of feeling locally. Council supports growth, but we’d have preferred to see something like this in a spot that’s better set up for it. The reality is that Fast‑track projects often sit outside our long-term planning and infrastructure work — that’s one of the reasons they use this process. The Panel doesn’t have to follow the same planning principles we do, so now it’s about making sure whatever goes ahead is done properly for the people who live here.”

— Mayor Ash

Earlier in the process, we provided planning and technical information to the Panel, including matters relating to infrastructure capacity, transport, servicing, and effects on neighbouring rural-residential properties. The Panel has recognised some of these issues in its draft decision by requiring larger lot sizes where the development borders existing rural and rural‑residential areas.

The Panel’s draft decision:

• Declines the retirement village component
• Declines residential development proposed on Highly Productive Land
• Approves the two solar farms
• Approves the remaining residential development (including the greenway and neighbourhood centre), with larger lot sizes required where the project meets rural and rural‑residential boundaries

This change may help reduce some of the impacts raised by nearby residents.

The proposal considered by the Panel covers approximately 125 hectares about 1.8 km southwest of Matamata. It includes up to 530 homes, 250 retirement units, a neighbourhood centre, greenways, earthworks, infrastructure, and two solar farms.

The Panel will now consider further technical feedback on the draft conditions before issuing its final decision.