11. JONATHAN YOUNG (National—New Plymouth) Link to this
to the Minister for the Environment
How have the Government’s amendments to the Resource Management Act assisted in upgrading New Zealand’s infrastructure and how have they supported economic growth?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH (Minister for the Environment) Link to this
A major change was made with the introduction of national consenting, which enabled major projects to be considered by a single, time-limited, robust process. The new process has worked successfully for the $1 billion Tauhara stage two geothermal power station, the $2 billion Waterview Connection project, and the $420 million Wiri Prison. I contrast this with projects like the Northern Gateway Toll Road project, which took 10 years, and the Wellington inner city bypass, which took 15 years. The Environmental Protection Authority yesterday received two further significant applications. The first is from New Zealand King Salmon for a plan to double its production in the Marlborough Sounds, which would generate over $100 million extra in export earnings. The second application received yesterday by the Environmental Protection Authority was for the $1 billion Transmission Gully motorway, north of Wellington.
Has the Minister received any feedback from submitters or objectors on the robustness of the new national consenting process?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH Link to this
Yes, I have. A letter to the Environmental Protection Authority from the Auckland Volcanic Cones Society was very complimentary of the process, saying that the Environmental Protection Authority had done a thorough and fair job, and “a fairer hearing has been achieved than under the old system”. I also note that both cycle advocacy groups and local residents affected by the Waterview project were also quite complimentary, saying that the board listened fairly and understood their concerns, and that although they had preferred that the project not proceed, they accepted the decision. These comments are a tribute to the two respective boards. These positive comments also reinforce how the new process is fair and is delivering timely results for infrastructure and economic development.