An alternative consenting pathway for eligible infrastructure and development projects
The ‘Fast Track Consenting Act’ was passed in July 2020 as part of the Government’s response to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Act provides an alternative consenting pathway for eligible infrastructure and development projects.
How does a project get fast tracked?
For most resource consents, there is a three step process that the applicant needs to make.
There are three types of resource consent applications:
- Listed projects
- Referred projects, and
- Work on infrastructure by approved organisations
The referral process can be fast-tracked by referring it to a consenting panel. To be referred, a person must apply to the Minister for the Environment and this application will be considered by the ministers.
There are two key points which determine your application outcome. Firstly, whether to seek feedback and secondly, whether to approve or decline the request for referral.
How do I know which ‘type’ of resource consent I need?
The type of application you need to submit will depend on your developments own circumstances. A risk we are seeing at the moment is developers putting their application in the wrong ‘type’ and winding up with unnecessary costs. A quick letter of advice can flush out those issues and ensure that you have the best chance of getting resource consent.
How can we help?
WRMK Lawyers specialises in all aspects of resource management. If you need help or guidance, please give one of us a call or contact your usual WRMK lawyer for advice.
WRMK Lawyers takes all reasonable care to make sure that the information in this article is up-to-date and accurate at today’s date. It is necessarily general information and not intended as legal advice to be relied upon.
Our thanks to Laura Lee for writing this article.
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