Fast track consenting
The Fast Track Approvals Act 2024 (FTAA) streamlines approvals for infrastructure, housing, and development projects with significant regional or national benefits, providing a faster, simpler process for obtaining approvals, including resource consents under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA). It was introduced in December 2024.
The approval process involves two main steps:
- Step 1: Referral application.
Applicants request to use the fast-track approvals process through a referral application. The Minister for Infrastructure makes the decision whether to refer the application to the expert panel. Projects listed in Schedule 2 of the FTAA do not need to go through this step. - Step 2: Substantive application.
Once referred, or if listed in Schedule 2, applicants may then lodge a substantive application for the approvals necessary to authorise the project. The decision on a substantive application is made by an expert panel.
The fast-track process is administered by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). More information about the process can be found on the Fast-Track Website.
The Fast Track Approvals Act 2024 is different to fast-track consenting under the Resource Management Act for controlled activity. Read more about fast-track consenting under the RMA.
Kāpiti Coast District Council’s role in fast-track approvals under the FTAA 2024
Kāpiti Coast District Council is not a decision-maker for applications that use the fast-track approvals process. Referral application decisions are made by the Minister for Infrastructure and any decisions on following substantive applications are made by an expert panel.
During the application process, Kāpiti Coast District Council’s main role is to provide information and comments on the application to decision-makers.
If the fast-track approval is granted for a resource consent, Kāpiti Coast District Council’s role is to monitor the consent-holder’s compliance with any resource consent conditions and undertake enforcement if conditions are not met.
Consent holders with resource consents granted under the Act can apply to Kāpiti Coast District Council for a change of resource consent conditions under the RMA or apply to the EPA for a change of resource consent conditions using the fast-track approvals process.
Listed projects in the FTAA in the Kāpiti District
When the FTAA came into effect, a number of listed projects were identified as being eligible to submit a substantive application without the need for a referral application.
These projects are listed in Schedule 2 of the FTAA, with three projects in the Kāpiti District listed in Schedule 2.
Projects that Kāpiti Coast District Council will be required to submit on
If you would like any further information on Kāpiti Coast District Councils’ role in the fast track approvals process, please contact us at [email protected].