Level 1 water restrictions are in effect for residents around Lake Hayes. Keep handheld hosing to a minimum, and only use sprinklers between midnight and 6.00am. Find out more information on restrictions.

Fast-track Approvals Act

The Fast-track Approvals Act came into force on 23 December 2024 and establishes a permanent fast-track approvals regime for infrastructure and development projects of national and regional significance.

  • Infrastructure and development projects that apply for fast-track approval are considered using one of two processes:

    • The substantive process:  When specific projects have been identified in the FTTA (listed in schedule 2), they may apply directly to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for consideration by an expert panel.
    • The referral process: Other parties seeking to utilise the FTAA process must first apply to the Minister for Infrastructure for approval, before then passing through the substantive process.
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  • The EPA handles both the referral and substantive approval processes. More information is available on the Ministry for the Environment and EPA websites.

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  • Council acts as an "affected party", with no decision-making role in the approval processes. Applicants must consult with the Council during both the referral and substantive stages. The Council can recover reasonable consultation costs, including fees for consultants.

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  • The FTAA requires that applicants consult with Council during both the substantive and referral application process. Under the legislation Council is able to recover all fair and reasonable costs of its consultation with applicants, (including that of any consultants used to assist).

    To instigate consultation with Council, applicants must submit a consultation application form and associated consultation document (downloadable on our website) via Council’s online portal, along with the following: 

    • A detailed proposal description, including plans and location.
    • A list of relevant resource consents (approved, declined, lapsed, or pending).
    • A list of required permits or licenses from the Council.
    • Resource consent requirements triggered by the proposed development.
    • Plans for servicing the development (water, wastewater, stormwater, transport).
    • Proposed assets to be vested in QLDC.
    • Reserve provision or impacts on existing reserves.
    • Any landowner agreements (e.g., DoC, LINZ, QLDC).
    • Any costs to ratepayers.
    • Known natural hazards and management plans.
    • Timeline for submission to the EPA.
    • Other consultations with agencies, iwi, or landowners.

    Once submitted, the request will be acknowledged and assigned a council reference number i.e., FTACR (for consultation for the referral process) or FTACS (for consultation for the substantive application process). Information kept by Council under these references is not publicly viewable unless disclosed under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act (LGOIMA).

    Council staff will review the information and schedule a consultation meeting based on availability and the applicant's timeframe for submitting their application to the EPA. Typically, representatives from all relevant departments will be present at consultation meetings.

    Following consultation meetings, Council will provide written comments with a focus on relevant areas (e.g., spatial planning, infrastructure, District Plan and reserves).

    NOTE: Council does not assess or decide on the application, but instead provides factual feedback on any impacts (positive, negative, or neutral)

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  • Requests to speak at public forum on the Fast-track Approvals Act will be directed to the public forum section of Planning & Strategy Committee meetings. 

    Speakers may only speak on the FTAA process and may not speak in reference to any specific applications (live or proposed).

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Where to find out more

Click here for more on central government’s Fast-track Approvals Act.