Fast-track Approvals Bill Submission
Here are some useful resources for making your submission:
- EDS Template submission on the Fast-track Approvals Bill
- Green Party submission guide
- https://www.kahukuraariki.iwi.nz/fast-track-approvals-bill-online-hui-and-implications-for-maori/
Here is my submission
The closing date for submissions is Friday, 19 April 2024
The chairperson of the Environment Committee is now calling for submissions on the Fast-track Approvals Bill. The Fast-track Approvals Bill is an omnibus bill. It would enable a fast-track decision-making process for infrastructure and development projects that are considered to have significant regional or national benefits.
The bill would establish a separate process for several approvals under different legislation including:
- resource consents, notices of requirement, and certificates of compliance (Resource Management Act 1991)
- concessions (Conservation Act 1987)
- authority to do anything otherwise prohibited under the Wildlife Act 1953
- archaeological authority (Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014)
- marine consents (Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf (Environmental Effects) Act 2012)
- land access (Crown Minerals Act 1991)
- aquaculture activity approvals (Fisheries Act 1996).
Clause 10 provides a detailed list of the approvals covered by this bill.
To access the fast-track approvals process, project owners would need to apply to the joint Ministers. A project would then be referred to an expert panel to assess the project and make a recommendation to the joint Ministers, who would then determine whether the approvals should be granted or declined.
Tell the Environment Committee what you think
Make a submission on the bill by 11.59pm on Friday, 19 April 2024.