An expansion at the Ports of Auckland is the first project to be granted consent under the new fast-track regime.
The Fast-track Approvals Act, which was part of the coalition agreement between National and NZ First, was aimed at accelerating approvals for projects deemed to have regional or national significance.
The approved works at the Port of Auckland included a new reinforced concrete-pillared wharf at the Bledisloe Terminal, an extension to the Fergusson North Berth, a cruise passenger terminal, and other upgrades.
It would allow larger cruise ships to berth in Auckland and increase New Zealand’s import and export capacity, Minister for Infrastructure Chris Bishop said.
“The project will deliver lasting economic benefits by boosting the efficiency of a critical part of Auckland’s economy and supporting long-term growth.”
Construction was expected to begin next month.
The project’s application was assessed and approved with conditions by an independent expert panel. The consent was granted 66 working days after the panel was convened to consider the application.
A total of 149 projects were on the fast-track list and were eligible to apply to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) for consideration by an expert panel.
The panel considers each application and decides whether to approve it, with any conditions attached to those approvals.
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones said he was looking forward to more projects reaching the approval stage – 10 were currently being considered by expert panels and a further three were in the pipeline.
The Act has also faced criticism, with opponents being against some of the 149 projects, as well as the potential to override environmental protections and Te Tiriti.
When the bill was passed in December, Labour said it was the most “radical and unbalanced” consenting regime in recent memory.
Expert panels are currently considering:
Delmore (residential)
Maitahi Village (residential)
Milldale (residential development)
Tekapo Power Scheme (power scheme consent renewal)
Waihi North (mining extension)
Drury Metropolitan centre
Sunfield (residential development)
Rangitoopuni (residential and retirement units)
Ryans Road (industrial subdivision).
Drury Quarry
Expert panels have been appointed for, and will shortly begin considering:
Stella Passage (wharf extension and related work)
Taranaki VTM (seabed mining)
King’s Quarry extension
