It was one of three projects around New Zealand announced by Ms Ardern in Wellington yesterday.
Maryhill Ltd’s Glenpanel, Ladies Mile-Te Putahi project at Lake Hayes has been referred to a consenting panel to confirm the projects can skip some of the usual Resource Management Act consenting processes.
Environment Minister David Parker said the Covid-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020 was a key part of the Government’s plan to accelerate the economic recovery, speed up some infrastructure projects and boost jobs.
He said the project would include a park-and-ride facility to promote public transport use, and potentially a new school.
If consented, the project would create up to 313 jobs.
Property developer and Maryhill Ltd director Kristan Stalker was delighted with the decision.
"It’s in accordance with what the QLDC is hoping to achieve there as well, and it aligns with the other projects that are backed up on Ladies Mile.
"It’s a good decision. It will make housing much more accessible - absolutely. It’s a national problem."
It is the third application given the nod for fast-track consideration in the area.
Glenpanel Development Ltd’s Flint’s Park West (on 8.6ha at Queenstown’s Ladies Mile), and Flint’s Park on adjacent land to the east (on 15.6ha), have already been approved.
Mr Parker said to improve the resource management system, the Government was repealing the Resource Management Act 1991 and replacing it with two new Acts - the Spatial Planning Act (SPA) and the Natural and Built Environments Act (NBEA) - that would better enable infrastructure and homes to be built while also protecting the environment.
He said the RMA took too long, cost too much and had not provided for development or housing where needed.
"The Infrastructure Commission have reported that infrastructure developers are collectively spending $1.29 billion annually on resource consent processes. This represents 5.5% of total project costs.
"That puts New Zealand at the upper end of approval costs, which are 0.1% to 5% in the United Kingdom and the European Union."
The SPA and NBEA would provide national direction on infrastructure and simplify consenting and designation processes.
