The Government has enabled fast-track consenting for 29 critical road, rail, and port projects across New Zealand, resulting in 180km of new road, rail and public transport corridors throughout New Zealand.

“New Zealand has an infrastructure deficit, and our Government is working to fix it. Delivering the transport infrastructure Kiwis needs is part of our plan to boost productivity, reduce congestion, and unleash economic growth. Enabling fast-track for these projects will allow them to be built quicker and more efficiently,” said Transport Minister Simeon Brown.

“New Zealand needs fast-track legislation to establish a steady pipeline of consented infrastructure projects, including the Roads of National Significance (RoNS) and Roads of Regional Significance (RoRS),” he said

The 29 transport projects have been listed in Schedule 2 of the Fast-track Approvals Bill, this includes:

16 road projects (including a Brynderwyns alternative, Mill Road in Auckland, the Woodend Bypass, and a second Ashburton Bridge)

5 rail projects (including level crossing removals in Auckland, and Lower North Island rail upgrades)

5 port projects (including container terminal expansion at Northport)

3 major public transport projects (including the Airport to Botany Rapid Transit)

“Through the Fast-track Approvals Bill, the Government is cutting through the red tape to rebuild the pipeline of transport infrastructure projects. These listed projects throughout the country are focused on growing our economy and increasing productivity,” Brown said.

“We are moving at pace to deliver a new generation of RoNS for New Zealand to boost productivity. We are providing travel options by investing in public transport and rail. And we are unlocking growth by increasing capacity at New Zealand’s ports.

“There is plenty of work to be done, and the inclusion of these projects for fast tracked consents means that Kiwis will experience the benefits of these projects sooner rather than later,” he said.

“These projects are critical to reducing travel times, unlocking land for thousands of new homes, and enabling goods to get to marketplaces in New Zealand and abroad.”

Brown said including these projects in the fast-track approvals process provides a more efficient way of getting them approved and consented.

“This announcement will give confidence to NZTA, KiwiRail and the wider construction sector that there is a strong pipeline of projects to work on and deliver over the coming years,” he said

National Road Carriers Association said the Fast Track Approvals Bill is balanced and achievable.

“There is a strong emphasis on road and rail developments that will enable productivity to get the country moving again,” said NRC policy and advocacy general manager James Smith.

“NRC supports a balance of road and rail, and fast-tracking projects will quickly establish those that can be delivered first.”

Smith said there are many projects on the list but they are “bite-sized and doable” rather than being so grand they may never happen.

“Many of the named projects have been bogged down with red and green tape. Fast tracking them means some of them could be started within this Parliamentary term rather than being delayed by needless consultation.”