On Thursday, July 25th, some of Hamilton office team attended an insightful event on the Fast-Track Approval Bill hosted by the Property Council. The event, featuring guidance from experts in the field, provided valuable information on the implications of the Bill for the development community.
Charlotte Muggeridge, Partner - Resource Management, from law firm Harkness Henry gave an overview of the Bill and its significance. She explained that the primary purpose of the Act is to facilitate a fast-track decision-making process, aiming to accelerate the delivery of infrastructure and development projects with significant regional or national benefits.
To be eligible for the fast-track consent process, projects must be accepted by the joint ministers and meet several criteria:
• Consistency with the purpose of the Act.
• Ability to be processed more timelier and cost-efficiently than under normal processes.
• The impact on the efficient operation of the fast-track process.
• Significant regional or national benefits.
• Sufficient information to inform the referral decision.
Charlotte also noted that if a project is not accepted for the fast-track consent process, applicants can reapply. Applications will be assessed by an expert panel, which will then make a recommendation to the joint ministers for a final decision.
Dave Moule, Partner, Planner from Boffa Miskell, shared his experiences as a consultant planner under the Covid fast track consent process, commenting that the process was indeed fast but also highlighting the need for ample resources to meet the condensed timeframes of the fast-track process.
Grant Kettle from Hamilton City Council discussed the challenges faced by local authorities. He emphasised that the fast-track process demands significant resources before, during, and after the application process. The council faces potential resourcing shortages to meet the demand of fast-track applications, compliance monitoring with consent conditions, and the impact on Hamilton's already constrained infrastructure network.
CKL is dedicated to leveraging this knowledge to provide our clients with expert guidance and strategic support, ensuring their projects benefit from the fast-track approval process. We are committed to facilitating efficient and successful development outcomes in this evolving regulatory landscape. If you’d like more information, please get in touch.
