‘Wait and see’ for fast-tracked projects

The Government’s fast-track legislation aims to cut through red tape and trigger much-needed investment, but a Nelson developer says its benefits are entirely unknown.

A total of 149 projects have been selected for fast-tracking by the Government, and three are from Nelson Tasman.

Andrew Spittal is one of the minds behind two of the region’s projects: the Maitahi Village in Kākā Valley and the Māpua Development.

The Maitahi Village is “98 per cent ready to go” and is just awaiting approval from the Environment Court before the resource consent applications are lodged with Nelson City Council.

The village is expected to provide 180 new residential lots, 50 of which are earmarked for iwi-led housing, a residential village with about 194 townhouses, and a commercial centre.

The Māpua Development is “nowhere near” as advanced as the Maitahi Village, with work currently awaiting the result of Tasman District Council’s masterplanning process for the town.

Andrew says it’s “nice” to have projects included in the 149 selected but adds that it’s entirely unknown whether being fast-tracked will be beneficial.

“It’s a wait and see until we understand what it is, but we will keep on following the processes that are in play now.”

Only once further details of the legislation are released – the bill is currently at the select committee stage – will he and his partners consider whether it’s worth pursuing the fast-track process.

“We’ve all been trying to work out what it means. What we’ve decided is that we’ll carry on as usual and see what happens,” Andrew says.

“If the fast-track is beneficial, we’ll use it. If it’s not, then we’ll follow the process that we’ve already invested in.”

While Andrew acknowledges that development can be “hard to do”, he says he has “no real issues” with the Resource Management Act, but that difficulties can arise through its interpretation.

The Maitahi Village has received significant opposition from lobby group Save the Maitai, as well as from numerous residents, about the potential environmental effects on the Maitai River.

The Government’s fast-track legislation has also come under fire from the Opposition and environmental advocates who allege that the legislation undermines environmental protections.

But Andrew says the development will uphold environmental standards.

“We’ve actually enhanced all the rules and provisions higher than what’s standard, because we want to do it.”

The third Nelson Tasman project selected for fast-tracking is the Hope Bypass – one of the Government’s Roads of National Significance – which would result in State Highway 6 bypassing Richmond to ease congestion and allow for more housing.

Nelson Mayor Nick Smith was encouraged by its inclusion on the list, saying the highway was one of the most important priorities for the region.

“We’ve got to get over both the hurdles of its consenting as well as its funding, and this signals it is a priority,” he says.

“It’s a good sign that it made the cut.”

Nick says he would be interested in exploring the possibility of fast-tracking the future development of the Nelson Marina.

He adds that the country does not have a good track record in delivering major infrastructure in a timely manner and so he thought the fast-track legislation was encouraging.

“It’s a step forward, but it’s not the only thing that’s going to be required for New Zealand to close the infrastructure gap.”