5536 (2025). Debbie Ngarewa-Packer to the Minister responsible for RMA Reform

5536 (2025). Debbie Ngarewa-Packer to the Minister responsible for RMA Reform: What criteria were used to determine the list of Fast-Track projects?

Hon Chris Bishop: I refer the Member to Appendix 1 of the Fast-track Projects Advisory Group: Terms of Reference. In October 2024, when announcing the 149 projects that would be included in Schedule 2 of the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024, the Government said the projects had been selected through a robust process which included an open application process run by the Ministry for the Environment, analysis by officials, an independent assessment and recommendations process by an independent Advisory Group, and final decisions by Cabinet. The independent Advisory Group’s assessment process for 384 projects which sought inclusion in the Fast-track Approvals Act, included, among other things, consideration of the Officials Summary Paper for each project application. The Advisory Group assessed the applications against the eligibility criteria in the Fast-track Approvals Bill, including deciding on projects’ regional or national significance.