Latest news with #FastTrackApprovalsAct
Scoop
3 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Regional Council Commits To Engaging On Seabed Mining Application Process
Taranaki Regional Council is keenly aware of and understands the desire from the community to state a position on the TTR seabed mining application, says Chair Craig Williamson. 'The Council is fully committed to its task of engaging with the process as maybe the region's only 'relevant local authority,' which brings certain opportunities to input into and potentially influence the outcome that other councils and the public will not have,' Mr Williamson says. 'Any formal position taken at this time by the Council will jeopardise its ability to participate, because of bias and predetermination. Council cannot be considered to offer fair and balanced advice, evidence and opinions on the application if it has a fomalised, publicly stated position on the matter. 'Because the Fast Track Approvals Act 2024 introduced by the Coalition Government does not give the public the ability to freely submit on the application, the Council considers it essential that it be able to participate in the process. 'This means that for now, the Council must maintain a neutral stance to ensure that is allowed to continue to participate in the fast-track approvals process but will reassess its position after considering the all the latest information and data made available during the submission process.' The Council expects to be considered and confirmed by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) as a 'relevant local authority' in the very near future, although this is still subject to confirmation by the EPA. Under the Fast Track Approvals Act, a decision on the application will solely be made by a panel created by the EPA for this purpose 'It is critical for the regional council to have a voice in this process as the legislation provides limited opportunities for public input. Waiting to consider all the information enables the Taranaki Regional Council to have a seat at the table,' adds Mr Williamson. 'If the regional council is identified as a 'relevant local authority' our responsibilities are to nominate a member to that decision-making panel, provide written comments on the application and, if a hearing is held, being able to speak to those comments. 'We would also provide additional information if requested by the EPA and provide comments on the conditions if the panel decides to grant the application. If the application is approved, we would expect to be involved in monitoring of the consent conditions.' The panel is expected to be appointed by mid to late July and the Council will be able to provide details of its appointee when the full panel members are identified. By law, the Fast Track Approvals Act only allows relevant local authorities, identified iwi authorities, and select others to make written comments on the application. Other local authorities and the public are excluded from making submissions unless invited to do so by the panel. While the Council, as the relevant local authority, will not initially be taking a formal stance on the application, Mr Williamson confirms it will be able to do so at the time of providing the Council's written comments.
Scoop
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Greenpeace Calls On Chris Hipkins To Take A Courageous Stand Against Seabed Mining
Press Release – Greenpeace For more than ten years, Trans-Tasman Resources has suffered defeat after defeat in the courts and faced opposition from Greenpeace and the Taranaki community, including iwi, commercial and recreational fishers and surfers. Greenpeace is calling on the leader of the opposition, Chris Hipkins, to take a public stand and pledge that seabed mining will never happen under a Labour-led government. A petition to the Labour Party leader launched this week has already gained more than 2200 signatures. Greenpeace spokesperson Juressa Lee says: 'The Luxon government seems intent on waging war on nature – but Governments come and go, and they won't be in control forever. That's why we're calling on Chris Hipkins to promise that any seabed mining consents granted under the Luxon government will be revoked by Labour if it gets elected. 'Despite failing again and again to win approval for its seabed mining project, wannabe miners Trans-Tasman Resources have applied to the Environmental Protection Authority for permission to mine the South Taranaki Bight under the Luxon government's Fast Track process. 'That's why we're launching a new call on the leader of the opposition, Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins, to take a stand and ensure this destructive industry never gets off the ground in Aotearoa.' For more than ten years, Trans-Tasman Resources has suffered defeat after defeat in the courts and faced opposition from Greenpeace and the Taranaki community, including iwi, commercial and recreational fishers and surfers. Juressa Lee says: 'Yet now, like a zombie, TTR is rising from the dead by taking advantage of the Fast Track Approvals Act to bypass environmental protections. 'That's why it's urgent the opposition leader Chris Hipkins takes a stand against seabed mining the Taranaki Bight. 'Chris Hipkins will also be in tune with the weight of public opinion in Aotearoa. Nearly 54,000 people signed the last Greenpeace petition to ban seabed mining.' Trans-Tasman Resources is planning to extract 50 million tonnes of iron sand from the South Taranaki Bight every year for 35 years and dump 45 million tonnes a year back into the ocean. Seabed mining in the South Taranaki Bight would damage rich ecosystems and threaten precious marine life such as the pygmy blue whale, Māui and Hector's dolphins and kororā.
Scoop
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Greenpeace Calls On Chris Hipkins To Take A Courageous Stand Against Seabed Mining
Greenpeace is calling on the leader of the opposition, Chris Hipkins, to take a public stand and pledge that seabed mining will never happen under a Labour-led government. A petition to the Labour Party leader launched this week has already gained more than 2200 signatures. Greenpeace spokesperson Juressa Lee says: "The Luxon government seems intent on waging war on nature - but Governments come and go, and they won't be in control forever. That's why we're calling on Chris Hipkins to promise that any seabed mining consents granted under the Luxon government will be revoked by Labour if it gets elected. "Despite failing again and again to win approval for its seabed mining project, wannabe miners Trans-Tasman Resources have applied to the Environmental Protection Authority for permission to mine the South Taranaki Bight under the Luxon government's Fast Track process. "That's why we're launching a new call on the leader of the opposition, Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins, to take a stand and ensure this destructive industry never gets off the ground in Aotearoa." For more than ten years, Trans-Tasman Resources has suffered defeat after defeat in the courts and faced opposition from Greenpeace and the Taranaki community, including iwi, commercial and recreational fishers and surfers. Juressa Lee says: "Yet now, like a zombie, TTR is rising from the dead by taking advantage of the Fast Track Approvals Act to bypass environmental protections. "That's why it's urgent the opposition leader Chris Hipkins takes a stand against seabed mining the Taranaki Bight. "Chris Hipkins will also be in tune with the weight of public opinion in Aotearoa. Nearly 54,000 people signed the last Greenpeace petition to ban seabed mining." Trans-Tasman Resources is planning to extract 50 million tonnes of iron sand from the South Taranaki Bight every year for 35 years and dump 45 million tonnes a year back into the ocean. Seabed mining in the South Taranaki Bight would damage rich ecosystems and threaten precious marine life such as the pygmy blue whale, Māui and Hector's dolphins and kororā.
RNZ News
24-04-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Tolling an option for Mill Road project planned for south Auckland
Transport Minister Chris Bishop Photo: RNZ/Calvin Samuel Transport Minister Chris Bishop is welcoming the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board's endorsement and approval of a $91.1 million investment case for Mill Road. The funding will complete the design work and securing consents on stage one. Bishop said Mill Road was a crucial Road of National Significance, one of 17 for the government. "South Auckland is the fastest growing area in the Auckland region, with 120,000 more people expected to make it their home over the next 30 years. We need to get on and deliver crucial transport infrastructure that supports that kind of growth, reduces congestion, improves safety, and helps unlock housing," Bishop said. "Delivering Mill Road Stage 1 has substantial benefits, including a 30 percent reduction in congestion on the corridor, over 60 percent reduction in deaths and serious injuries, and by 2031, 25 percent faster journey times." However, Bishop didn't rule out the inclusion of tolling for the new piece of roading. He said the government policy statement on land transport 2024 required Waka Kotahi to consider tolling for all new Roads of National Significance . "The investment case confirms tolling is possible and the revenue will support the construction and maintenance of the road." The benefit cost ratio would be 2.2 if tolled, and un-tolled the ratio would be 3.1. "The government will consider this recommendation and announce next steps of the process in due course," he said. Photo: Supplied / NZTA The investment case for Mill Road Stage 1 (Manukau to Alfriston) includes: The Transport Minister said it was anticipated construction could begin as early as the middle of next year. "Technical work to secure the route protection and other approvals for future Stages 2 and 3 is scheduled to begin from mid-2026," he said. "In order to deliver benefits for the people, communities and businesses of South Auckland as soon as possible, NZTA are planning on dividing the construction of Stage 1 in different construction packages so they can start work sooner in places where there is more certainty around the existing environment. "The plan is to focus on Stage 1b from Hollyford Drive to Hilltop Road, along with a piece of work to the south (Stage 1d), which includes roundabout improvements around the Mill Road Alfriston area. Stage 1a between State Highway 1 (SH1) and Hollyford Drive and Stage 1c from Hilltop Road to north of Alfriston will be delivered later." The Minister said NZTA was working "at pace to build on earlier designs". It focus included improving the efficiency and resilience of the corridor, and increasing capacity to deliver faster, more reliable journey times. "The project will also seek to obtain statutory approvals, likely via the Fast Track Approvals Act, and this will be confirmed in coming months." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
23-04-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Tolling an option for $91m Mill Road project planned for south Auckland
Transport Minister Chris Bishop Photo: RNZ/Calvin Samuel Transport Minister Chris Bishop is welcoming the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board's endorsement and approval of a $91.1 million investment case for Mill Road. The funding will complete the design work and securing consents on stage one. Bishop said Mill Road was a crucial Road of National Significance, one of 17 for the government. "South Auckland is the fastest growing area in the Auckland region, with 120,000 more people expected to make it their home over the next 30 years. We need to get on and deliver crucial transport infrastructure that supports that kind of growth, reduces congestion, improves safety, and helps unlock housing," Bishop said. "Delivering Mill Road Stage 1 has substantial benefits, including a 30 percent reduction in congestion on the corridor, over 60 percent reduction in deaths and serious injuries, and by 2031, 25 percent faster journey times." However, Bishop didn't rule out the inclusion of tolling for the new piece of roading. He said the government policy statement on land transport 2024 required Waka Kotahi to consider tolling for all new Roads of National Significance . "The investment case confirms tolling is possible and the revenue will support the construction and maintenance of the road." The benefit cost ratio would be 2.2 if tolled, and un-tolled the ratio would be 3.1. "The government will consider this recommendation and announce next steps of the process in due course," he said. The Transport Minister said it was anticipated construction could begin as early as the middle of next year. "Technical work to secure the route protection and other approvals for future Stages 2 and 3 is scheduled to begin from mid-2026," he said. "In order to deliver benefits for the people, communities and businesses of South Auckland as soon as possible, NZTA are planning on dividing the construction of Stage 1 in different construction packages so they can start work sooner in places where there is more certainty around the existing environment. "The plan is to focus on Stage 1b from Hollyford Drive to Hilltop Road, along with a piece of work to the south (Stage 1d), which includes roundabout improvements around the Mill Road Alfriston area. Stage 1a between State Highway 1 (SH1) and Hollyford Drive and Stage 1c from Hilltop Road to north of Alfriston will be delivered later." The Minister said NZTA was working "at pace to build on earlier designs". It focus included improving the efficiency and resilience of the corridor, and increasing capacity to deliver faster, more reliable journey times. "The project will also seek to obtain statutory approvals, likely via the Fast Track Approvals Act, and this will be confirmed in coming months." The investment case for Mill Road Stage 1 (Manukau to Alfriston) includes: Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
