The bill represents a "huge step forward" in addressing several challenges, RMA reform minister says
Cabinet is set to pitch a number of changes to the Fast-track Approvals Bill – a piece of legislation that RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop said would make significant progress in addressing government and private sector concerns.
“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”, he said.
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones added that the concerns raised in many submissions had been taken into consideration, and areas of improvement identified. The cabinet had agreed to propose the following reforms to the Fast-track Approvals Bill for the Environment Committee's consideration:
- the Minister for Infrastructure alone will refer projects to an expert panel; however, the minister for infrastructure must consult with the Minister for the Environment and other relevant portfolio ministers in line with the referral process
- the expert panel will make the final decisions on projects
- expert panels must include experts in environmental matters, with experts in Māori development replacing mātauranga Māori. An iwi authority representative will be included only as necessitated by Treaty settlements
- when filing applications for the referring minister’s consideration, applicants must provide information on past decisions by approving authorities, including court decisions
- an extension will be given on timeframes for comments at both the referral and panel stages to allow more time for input from affected parties
“Successive governments have let red and green tape stop economic growth for too long. These changes get the balance right between enabling major projects, keeping the one-stop shop nature of the Bill, and giving the public confidence that the process is fair and reasonable”, Bishop said.
He confirmed that the bill was presently before the Environment Select Committee.
“The positive feedback on our one-stop shop Fast-track Bill has confirmed what we’ve been hearing for a long time: Kiwis want to see progress in their towns and cities and are sick of waiting years for it”, Jones said.
