The Government introduced the Fast-Track Approvals Bill to Parliament on Thursday 7 March 2024.
This legislation is proposed to be more enabling for development and (in particular) broader in scope than previous fast-track legislation.
The Bill had its first reading under urgency, but will undergo the standard select committee process, allowing opportunity for submissions. During the select committee process, a fast-track advisory group will also be established to make decisions on what projects should be scheduled in the Act as listed projects.
The following dates have been made available regarding the select committee and submission process:
- Submissions are open now
- Submissions will close on 19 April 2024
- The select committee report is due 7 September 2024.
No further information has been made available about the fast-track advisory group or when draft schedules of listed projects will be released. For more information on the contents of the Bill, see our recent article.
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 discuss the potential implications of the Bill.
