The New Zealand government announced on Sunday 149 priority projects under its Fast Track Approvals Bill, aimed at jump-starting economic growth and addressing the country’s pressing infrastructure and housing challenges. The bill, which fast-tracks the consent process for key developments, is designed to speed up delivery across sectors such as housing, transport, renewable energy, aquaculture, and mining.
Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones emphasised that the bill is a cornerstone of the government’s strategy to rebuild the economy, reduce the infrastructure deficit, and tackle the housing crisis.
149 Projects Selected for Fast-Tracking
The projects chosen for fast-tracking include 44 housing developments expected to bring up to 55,000 new homes to areas with housing shortages. The bill also supports the acceleration of 43 transport projects, which will add more than 180 kilometres of new road, rail, and public transport routes across the country.
“The Government is cutting through the red tape to rebuild the pipeline of transport infrastructure projects,” said Transport Minister Simeon Brown. “These listed projects throughout the country are focused on growing our economy and increasing productivity.”
Key transport initiatives include the Mill Road project in Auckland, the Woodend Bypass, and upgrades to the rail system, including level crossing removals in Auckland and rail improvements in the Lower North Island.
Renewable Energy and Economic Stimulus
Renewable energy is another key focus of the bill, with 22 projects set to add up to 3 gigawatts of generation capacity. This push aligns with New Zealand’s goal to increase energy security and reduce carbon emissions. Shane Jones highlighted that overcoming the barriers to renewable energy projects is essential for the country to meet its climate commitments.
Additionally, seven aquaculture projects hope to strengthen partnerships with Māori communities and bolster the local economy by producing 143,000 tonnes of seafood annually. Eleven mining projects, which aim to double New Zealand’s mineral exports to $2 billion by 2035, are expected to contribute significantly to regional job creation and economic growth.
The cumulative impact of these projects could inject much-needed momentum into New Zealand’s economy, which has been struggling through a per capita recession for nearly two years. Forsyth Barr analysts have noted that these developments, combined with potential interest rate cuts, could help stimulate growth in a subdued economic environment.
Criticism from Environmental Groups
Despite the potential economic benefits, the Fast Track Approvals Bill has drawn sharp criticism from environmental organisations. Critics argue that the bill’s rapid consent process could lead to the approval of projects that pose significant environmental risks.
David Parker, Labour’s acting environment spokesperson, voiced concerns about the inclusion of controversial projects such as seabed mining and the Waitaha Hydro Project, which had previously been rejected due to their environmental impact. “The coalition government has just confirmed a line-up of projects that could wreak havoc on our natural environment,” he said.
Gary Taylor, CEO of the Environmental Defence Society, echoed these concerns, saying, “We’re blown away by the sheer volume of projects listed,” and questioning the government’s capacity to adequately review them.
Forest & Bird’s spokesperson Richard Capie warned that some of the fast-tracked projects, including coal mining and open-pit gold mining, could cause serious environmental damage. He criticised the government’s decision to bypass normal parliamentary oversight for such critical developments, arguing that it undermines New Zealand’s democratic process.
Looking Ahead
While the bill faces opposition from environmental groups, the government maintains that these projects are essential for economic recovery. The fast-tracked projects are expected to create thousands of jobs, improve housing availability, and strengthen New Zealand’s infrastructure.
The first fast-tracked projects are expected to begin as early as next year, pending approval from expert panels assigned to assess their environmental and social impacts.