The Government has enabled fast-track consenting for 29 critical road, rail, and port projects which will result in at least 180 kilometres of new road, rail and public transport corridors throughout New Zealand.
The transport projects listed in Schedule 2 of the Fast-track Approvals Bill includes:
- 16 road projects (including a Brynderwyns alternative, Mill Road in Auckland, the Woodend Bypass, and a second Ashburton Bridge)
- Five rail projects (including level crossing removals in Auckland, and Lower North Island rail upgrades)
- Five port projects (including container terminal expansion at Northport)
- Three major public transport projects (including the Airport to Botany Rapid Transit)
“New Zealand has an infrastructure deficit, and our Government is working to fix it,” Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.
“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.
“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).
“Through the Fast-track Approvals Bill, the Government is cutting through the red tape to rebuild the pipeline of transport infrastructure projects.
“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. 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.
“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,” Brown says.
