Fast-track Bill Amendments Recommended by Cabinet After Strong Public Input

• Cabinet has proposed amendments to enhance the Fast-track Approvals Bill, reflecting public feedback.
• The Bill aims to streamline infrastructure and housing projects, tackling New Zealand’s economic challenges.
• Final decisions on projects will rest with an expert panel, ensuring a balanced and fair process.

Cabinet has recommended a series of amendments to the Fast-track Approvals Bill, a crucial piece of legislation designed to accelerate the delivery of key infrastructure and housing projects in New Zealand. The announcement was made by RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones, who also revealed details about the overwhelming interest in the Bill, with 384 projects applying for consideration.

“We’re delighted by the massive interest in our Fast-track process. New Zealand has a housing crisis, a massive infrastructure deficit, and very ambitious climate change targets. Fast-track will be a huge step forward toward addressing this trifecta of challenges for government and the private sector alike,” said Mr Bishop.

Mr Jones highlighted the significance of the feedback received, stating that many submitters provided valuable insights on areas where the Bill could be improved. As a result, Cabinet has agreed to recommend the following changes:

• The Minister for Infrastructure will refer projects to an expert panel after consulting the Minister for the Environment and other relevant Ministers.
• Final decisions on projects will be made by the expert panel, not Ministers, mirroring the previous Labour government’s approach.
• Expert panels will include environmental experts, and where necessary, a representative from iwi authorities or experts in Māori development, in place of mātauranga Māori.
• Applicants must include information on previous decisions by approving authorities, including court rulings, in their submissions for consideration.
• Timeframes for comments at both the referral and panel stages will be extended to allow impacted parties more time to provide feedback.

“The Fast Track Approvals Bill is currently before the Environment Select Committee for consideration. Cabinet has recommended the above changes to the Committee, and the Committee will decide whether or not to accept them,” Mr Bishop stated.

High-level data on the 384 projects seeking inclusion in the Bill shows a diverse spread across sectors and regions. Housing and urban development projects make up 40% of applications, infrastructure projects 24%, renewable energy projects 18%, primary industries 8%, quarrying 5%, and mining 5%.

The Independent Advisory Group reviewed these applications and made recommendations to the Ministers, who will further deliberate on which projects will be listed in Schedule 2 of the Bill. Once the Bill is enacted, listed projects will have the opportunity to apply directly to an Expert Panel for final decisions and the imposition of any necessary conditions.anel for final decision, as well as the application of any conditions.