A petition carrying 3116 signatures opposing a major housing development at Ōhoka is heading to Parliament.

Petition organiser Meris Brandram-Adams presented the paper signatures to Labour MP Dan Rosewarne during a closing event at the Ōhoka Domain on Monday morning.

Rosewarne was scheduled to fly the petition to Wellington later that day before formally presenting it to Parliament.

Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon and Ōhoka Residents Association spokesman David Nixon addressed those gathered at the event.

The campaign collected signatures through paper forms, Change.org and an official parliamentary petition

The Change.org petition had received 2090 signatures shortly before the event, with additional support recorded through the parliamentary petition and paper forms.

The petition calls on the House of Representatives to remove the Ōhoka subdivision from Schedule 2 of the Fast Track Approvals Act 2024.

Carter Group is seeking approval to develop about 152 hectares of rural land adjoining Ōhoka.

Although the project is described as providing approximately 850 homes, the substantive application seeks 879 residential allotments.

It also includes a commercial or mixed use centre, a polo field and land for a potential school, retirement village or both.

Opponents have raised concerns about flooding, wastewater capacity, transport infrastructure and whether the development would provide a net regional benefit.

They have also questioned the description of Ōhoka as an urban area and said the community should not have to continue opposing the proposal after earlier attempts were declined.

Carter Group previously rejected allegations that its application contained false or misleading statements.

“We have not made any false or misleading statements,” a spokesperson said.

The company said evidence supporting the application was being contested by opponents and it would be the role of the independent expert panel to consider the competing positions.

The substantive application was lodged on July 1 and deemed complete on July 23.

A four member expert panel is scheduled to begin considering the proposal on August 31, with its decision due by March 10 next year, subject to any suspension of proceedings.