8337 (2025). Hon Priyanca Radhakrishnan to the Minister of Conservation

8337 (2025). Hon Priyanca Radhakrishnan to the Minister of Conservation: What role, if any, does Department of Conservation have on for projects listed under the Fast Track Act if the project involves Conservation Land?

Hon Tama Potaka: The Department of Conservation advises me that depending on the scope of a listed project and the approvals required, they may undertake a number of key roles in the assessment of listed project applications under fast track. 1. The applicant must undertake pre-lodgement engagement with the Department 2. The Environmental Protection Authority must consult the Department for a completeness check for substantive applications when conservation approvals are involved 3. The Department is required to provide a report to the Expert Panel when conservation approvals are involved 4. The Department may be invited to provide comment to the Expert Panel on relevant applications The Department has additional responsibilities for applications that specifically relate to land exchanges: 5. The Department receives and manages all land exchange applications directly with the applicant. 6. The Department is required to provide a report on the land exchange to the applicant