Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill introduced

Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis says the Bill creates a new fast-track consent option for new supermarkets that would improve grocery competition.

Minister for RMA Reform Chris Bishop says the Fast-track Amendment Bill clarifies and further streamlines the Fast-track Approvals Act for even greater efficiency.

“The Bill introduced today makes a series of technical changes to improve the efficiency of the Act and to cut project application processing times.

“The Bill includes a small but important correction to Schedule 2 to ensure the Stella Passage at the Port of Tauranga, that was agreed by Parliament, is accurately described to align with that project’s scope.

“Over the last few months, the expert panels and panel conveners, applicants, government officials, and councils have identified areas where improvements could be made to the Fast-track regime, many of which are reflected in the Bill introduced today."

The Government’s intention is for the Bill to be referred to the Environment Select Committee for scrutiny after its first reading in Parliament on Thursday 6 November and for the Bill to be passed before the end of the year.

Read the Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill here: Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill