Info: This page provides general information about the role of local authorities in the process. We also have process guidance for local authorities involved in the Fast-track.
Local authorities have a role in the Fast-track process
Local authorities include territorial authorities (district and city councils), regional councils, and unitary authorities (territorial authorities that have the responsibilities, duties and powers of a regional council).
Local authorities have responsibilities under the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024, including:
responding to pre-application notices provided by applicants
providing information on existing resource consents and competing applications
commenting on referral and substantive applications
providing feedback on the completeness and scope of substantive applications
nominating a member of the expert panel
providing information in response to requests from decision-makers
commenting on draft conditions for approvals.
They also retain their existing functions under the Resource Management Act 1991 relating to:
monitoring compliance with resource consent conditions
change or cancellation of resource consent conditions
certificates of compliance
designations (a planning technique used to authorise activities by a local requiring authority on a particular site, without the need for land-use consent from a territorial authority).
Before applying
Before applying to use the Fast-track process, applicants must notify relevant local authorities of their application in writing. Authorities wishing to respond have 20 working days. Applicants cannot lodge their application until the 20 working-day period has expired for each authority notified.
A relevant local authority is any local authority whose region or district the project area is in or, in the case of a marine consent, any local authority whose region or district is adjacent to the site where the relevant activity would be undertaken.
Engaging proactively with local authorities helps applicants to understand the scope of the approvals they need and work through potential issues before they submit their application (to help streamline the formal process).
If an applicant began consulting local authorities before 31 March 2026, the applicant is required to complete that consultation.
Before a listed project can make a substantive application
Applicants for listed projects seeking resource consents must also notify the relevant regional council and provide the council’s response regarding any existing consents as part of their application.
Referral application stage
Local authorities are involved in the referral application stage, including advising of any competing applications. They may also provide other comments relevant to the application and the decision the Minister for Infrastructure needs to make on it. The Minister may also request advice, reports or further information from local authorities.
Substantive application stage
Local authorities are involved in the substantive application process, including:
providing feedback on the completeness and scope of the application
nominating members of expert panels
attending conferences and hearings
commenting on applications and draft conditions
providing any reports or further information requested by decision-makers.
Relevant local authorities may appeal to the High Court against the whole or a part of the decision, but only on a question of law.