The Government introduced the Fast-Track Approvals Bill to Parliament on Thursday 7 March 2024. As outlined in our recent Fast-Track Approvals Bill article, submissions to the select committee close on 19 April 2024.
The Bill includes three pathways for projects to access the Fast-Track process, either by being listed in Schedule 2, or by a referral application and Ministerial approval similar to the current Fast-Track referral processes. Schedule 2 will list specific projects that will or may be eligible for the Fast-Track Approvals process at the time of assent. The list is split into two parts:
- Schedule 2A: Projects that will be automatically referred to an expert panel (and therefore into the approvals process) once the Bill is passed and enacted
- Schedule 2B: Projects that will require further ministerial approval before they are referred to an expert panel.
As we highlighted in our recent Fast-track consenting article, Schedule 2 is blank in the Bill as released, with no projects listed.
Applications now are open for projects wishing to be listed in either Schedule 2A or 2B. The application process closes on 3 May 2024. Applications can be made by the private or public sector.
All applications will be referred to the Fast Track Advisory Group, who will make recommendations to the Ministers of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Transport about which projects should be included in Schedule 2. Members of the Fast Track Advisory Group are yet to be announced.
Our national Environment and Resource Management team has been closely following the development of the new legislation, and its likely implications. Please contact a member of our team if you would like to make an application to be included in Schedule 2, would like to know more about the listing process, or would like to discuss the Fast-Track Approvals Bill more generally.
