The Select Committee has now issued its report on the Fast-track Approvals Bill (the Report).
The purpose of the Fast-track Approvals Bill (the Bill) is to provide a streamlined 'one stop shop' decision-making process to facilitate the delivery of infrastructure and development projects with significant regional or national benefits.
The Bill was introduced by the Government to Parliament in March 2024. The Bill was the subject of 27,000 submissions and six weeks of hearings where over 1,000 submitters spoke to their submissions.
In response to concerns regarding the breadth of ministerial powers and limitations on public participation in the 'one stop shop' approvals process, in September Cabinet announced that it had agreed to recommend a number of key changes to the Bill to the Environment Select Committee.
The Report is available here.
No doubt the Report will be the subject of much dialogue going forward. We are currently conducting a thorough analysis of the Report's recommended changes, and the implications of these. Watch this space for further information in the coming days.
For more information on the matter, see our Fast-track Approvals Bill – where are we at? article.
Our Fast-track consenting experience
Our national environment and resource management team has extensive experience in previous Fast-track consenting processes under the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020 and Natural and Built Environment Act 2023 Fast-track consenting process. For more information on our Fast-track expertise, please see our credentials.
Our team has been closely following the development of this new legislation, and its likely implications, advising a number of clients who have sought projects to be listed for fast-track consenting. We are therefore well positioned to assist clients on proposed fast-track projects. Please contact a member of our team if you would like to discuss the potential implications of the Bill and what this may mean for your future projects.
