Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones have welcomed the approval of the first project under the Government’s new Fast-track Approvals Act.
The Port of Auckland’s wharf expansion project has received consent from an expert panel, less than seven months after applications opened through the new one-stop approvals process.
The works include construction of a new reinforced concrete-piled wharf at the Bledisloe Terminal, an extension to the Fergusson North Berth, a new cruise passenger terminal, and other upgrades. Construction is expected to begin next month.
“The Fast-track Approvals Act, part of the coalition agreement between National and NZ First, was signed into law just before Christmas and opened for project applications on 7 February this year,” Bishop says.
“The Act helps cut through the tangle of red and green tape and the jumble of approvals processes that has, until now, held New Zealand back from much-needed economic growth.”
Bishop says the Bledisloe North Wharf extensions would deliver lasting benefits.
“The Bledisloe North Wharf extensions will enable larger cruise ships to berth, and increase New Zealand’s importing and exporting capacity,” he says.
“The project will deliver lasting economic benefits by boosting the efficiency of a critical part of Auckland’s economy and supporting long-term growth.”
The approval comes 66 working days after the expert panel was convened to consider the application, which was lodged in March after an earlier version was returned to the applicant for not meeting statutory requirements.
Jones says the first approval was a milestone and signalled momentum for the new regime.
“I am working closely with Minister Bishop to consider what tweaks to the legislation can be made to make this process even more efficient and get these projects approved and under way,” Jones says.
The Port of Auckland project is one of 149 developments able to apply under the new law, which was designed to accelerate infrastructure and regional development.
Port of Auckland chief executive Roger Gray says he is thrilled with the approval.
“Bledisloe North Wharf is a key project of ours and was endorsed in the Auckland Council Long-term Plan. It will help us meet Auckland’s freight needs, support the cruise industry, whilst also providing more access to the waterfront for Aucklanders and reducing congestion in the downtown ferry basin.”
“Fergusson North wharf is critical for the port to become big ship capable and serve Auckland’s freight needs well into the future” he says.
Port of Auckland says it consulted widely with stakeholders, local communities and iwi throughout the process.
The port aims to commence pre-construction works for Bledisloe North wharf in September.
