The public was given just 11 days to make submissions on dozens of controversial changes to the fast-track law, writes Catherine McGregor in today’s extract from The Bulletin.

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Greens put mining companies ‘on notice’

The Green Party has drawn a sharp line between itself and the government, pledging to revoke fast-track consents for certain mining projects if it forms part of the next government, reports RNZ’s Giles Dexter. Party co-leader Marama Davidson said the move put “the seabed mining, hardrock gold mining and coal mining industries – and their investors – on notice”,

The Greens have named seven projects, including a Taranaki seabed mine and an expansion to the existing Waihi gold and silver mine, that would have their consents overturned even if already issued. Labour leader Chris Hipkins declined to endorse the pledge, saying his party would set out its fast-track policies closer to the election. He did, however, point to existing permits being honoured when the offshore oil and gas exploration ban was brought in by the last Labour government. Greens’ resources spokesperson Steve Abel defended the announcement as a “pre-emptive warning” that would not affect existing jobs. “This government has wiped out thousands and thousands of jobs,” he said. “It’s a bit rich to say they’re going to claw back a few hundred jobs by destroying our most precious places.”

Fast-track bill draws fire 

The Greens’ announcement came on the heels of a flood of criticism over the government’s fast-track amendment bill, for which public submissions have now closed. The changes to the legislation would let ministers issue policy statements on the “regional or national benefits” of a proposal – statements which expert panels would be required to consider when approving projects. The bill also shortens the time-frames the panels have to reach decisions and restricts the right of appeal to those directly affected, cutting environmental bodies from the appeals process.

Critics say the policy statements will effectively give ministers the power to influence outcomes in advance. In Newsroom, the Environmental Defence Society’s Shay Schlaepfer said the bill’s guardrails were so weak a minister could declare “all coal mines are of national significance”. Although the Beehive media release announcing the bill was headlined ‘Express lane for new supermarkets underway’, in reality the amendments have little to do with competition in the sector, she added. The word “grocery” appears once in the bill, Newsroom’s David Williams notes.

A rushed process

Opposition parties and environmental groups have condemned the truncated consultation period, reports The Post’s Tom Pullar-Strecker. Public submissions on more than 100 proposed law changes closed yesterday, barely 11 days after the bill’s release.

RMA reform minister Chris Bishop defended the speed, citing among other reasons the need to fix what he called a “minor snafu” holding up the Port of Tauranga’s expansion project. The High Court halted that proposal in August after finding its wharf extension wasn’t correctly listed for fast-tracking. Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking argued the government could have dealt with the port issue separately if speed was such a priority, rather than bundling it into sweeping reforms.

Two new tunnels and chunks from the Town Belt

Also on Monday, the government unveiled detailed plans for Wellington’s $3.8 billion transport overhaul – another project proceeding under the fast-track regime. The plans include a second Mount Victoria tunnel, a second Terrace tunnel and a Basin Reserve underpass, The Post’s Tom Hunt reports.

Documents show the works will claim parts of the Town Belt and potentially dozens of homes. Green transport spokesperson Julie Anne Genter said residents would be “shocked” to see the “huge portion” of public land and other facilities being lost for “a mirage” of faster car travel. “It’s $3.8 billion for 2km of one extra lane in each direction – quite likely the most expensive roading project ever contemplated in New Zealand. All for no actual gain.” Bishop has said the project will reduce travel times from the Wellington region to the central city, hospital, and airport “by up to 10 mins at peak times”, among other benefits.​

More from The Spinoff:

• Joel MacManus: We’re spending all our money on roads that suck
• Toby Manhire: Let’s play Tour of New Zealand: Fast Track Edition​