Recorded presentation | Fast-track consenting: here to stay
Fast-track consenting was introduced as an alternative to standard RMA approval processes to accelerate the implementation of projects and assist with economic recovery after Covid-19. Fast-track consenting has delivered approvals for over 75 projects across New Zealand. Applications for the fast-track consenting process were due to wind up by July 2023. However, the previous Labour Government and the current Coalition Government have both recognised the benefits of the fast-track consenting process – it was given new life under the Natural and Built Environment Act and a further iteration is in train with new legislation due in early March 2024.
At this in-person and live-streamed event, people heard from Judge Newhook, Environment Court Judge and Convenor of Expert Panels for fast-track consenting, as well from Elliott Dennett, Team Leader of the Environmental Protection Authority’s fast-track consenting division. Both presenters provided insights as to how fast-track consenting has been used successfully in the past, pitfalls to avoid, and look to the future role of this process.
Learning Outcomes
Benefit from Judge Newhook’s account of the use of the fast-track consenting process to date and its advantages over the standard RMA procedures.
Understand from Elliott Dennett the finer details of processing applications for fast-track consent and the pitfalls that applicants should avoid.
Gain a better understanding of how third parties can be most effective in their involvement in fast-track consent applications.
Explore the future of the fast-track consent process.
Who attended?
Practitioners that had or are likely to participate in fast-track consenting processes benefitted from hearing from Judge Newhook and Elliott Dennett on this interesting and evolving area.
Presenters: Judge Newhook, Environment Court Judge and Convenor of Expert Panels, and Elliott Dennett, Team Leader, Environmental Protection Authority
Chair: Mike Doesburg, Partner, Wynn Williams
With special thanks to Beca for their generosity in providing the venue.
