The Government approved three more projects through the fast-track consenting procedure, bringing the total number of projects eligible to apply to resource consents to fifty.
The COVID-19 Recovery Fast Track Consenting Act 2020 (COVID-19 Recovery Fast Track Consenting Act 2020) is a key government lever to grow the economy and boost jobs, accelerate infrastructure development, and improve environmental outcomes as a response to the economic impact of COVID-19.
Environment Minister David Parker announced that NZ Windfarm’s Te Rere Hau Windfarm repowering and redevelopment project, near Palmerston North was approved as the fiftieth-referred fast track project.
“The Waimarie Street Project residential development in St Heliers Auckland and the Flint’s Park West Ladies Mile Te Ptahi project at Lake Hayes in Queenstown are two other approved projects.
“To date, 50 projects have been referred to New Zealand for approval. They cover 13 of the 16 regions.
“This includes projects in Northland, Wellington, Taranaki, Bay of Plenty, Otago, Nelson, Canterbury, Otago, and Southland.
David Parker stated, “Together they have potential to create more that 18,000 jobs and construct 8,772 homes.”
An expert panel has now approved 17 of the 50 projects that were approved under the fast track legislation.
These projects are not only focused on housing, but also include the Tauhei Solar Farm(Te Aroha); Ohinewai Foam factory; the new Whakatane boat harbour; Hananui Aquaculture project, Foveaux Strait; and the new Dunedin Hospital.
The expedited consenting process is shorter and can be used to boost employment and economic recovery. However, it does not replace or circumvent environmental tests under the Resource Management Act. It is intended to ensure that Treaty of Waitangi settlement obligations are met.
The Minister for the Environment declined to use the expedited process for certain proposals, where public input using existing RMA processes was more appropriate.
“The fast-track consenting process allows for approval of projects. This reduces the time it takes to apply for resource consents and provides the economic and job benefits that the act was intended to provide.
David Parker stated, “Applicants who use the fast track process have saved on average 15 months per job.”
Although work is underway to determine whether the fast track process can be carried forward to the new resource management system, no decision has been made.
The latest projects approved by the Board of Directors:
Project schedule 48 – Waimarie Street, St Heliers, Auckland
This residential development project will create approximately58 residential lots, housing approximately 58 units in (predominantly), terraced homes between 2 and 3 stories high. There will also be associated infrastructure such as a pedestrian access to Waimarie Street, vehicle accessways and parking areas, and infrastructure that can provide three-waters services.
Project schedule 49 – Flint’s Park West, Ladies Mile – Te Ptahi
This is a medium density housing development in Queenstown’s Lake Hayes region. The project involves the subdivide of an 18.4-hectare site to construct approximately 315 residential units (or 180 residential units), a church/chapel, a state-integrated schools, supporting infrastructure, and public open spaces on 8.6 hectares.
Project schedule 50 – Te Rere Hau windfarm
The Te Rere Hau project, a windfarm repowering program, will redevelop the existing Te Rere Hau turbine farm in the Tararua Range south of Palmerston North. The project will include the removal of 97 existing, 47-metre high turbines, and the installation 30 new, 3-blade, 162-metre tall turbines.
(With inputs from New Zealand Government Press release)