First fast-track panels established three months after applications opened

Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop have welcomed the formation of the first fast-track consenting panels. (Image: NZME)

Oliver Lewis

Thu, 08 May 2025

Around three months after applications opened, panels have been stood up for the first two projects to go through the fast-track consenting process.The Government passed the Fast-track Approvals Act last year to set up an accelerated approvals regime for projects deemed regionally or nationally significant. Applications opened from Feb 7. In March, the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) deemed three applications to be substantially complete and referred them to the panel convener later that month.First out of the gateOn Thursday, Reg...

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