Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

This page is about a bill. That means that it's not the law yet, but some people want it to be the law. It could change quickly, and some of the information is just a draft.

Fast-track Approvals Bill

Fast-track approval approvals process for eligible projects - Process for panel consideration of substantive application - Provisions relating to information

24L: EPA powers to make certain decisions

You could also call this:

“EPA can make decisions and share information to help with approvals”

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) can make administrative decisions to help a panel do its job. However, these decisions can’t go against or stop the panel from following clause 5 of Schedule 3.

You can find all the written notices and documents that the EPA or a panel receives from people or sends to people on the EPA’s website. They have to put these up for free.

The EPA can choose not to share some information on their website if they think there’s a good reason to keep it private. They use the Official Information Act 1982 to decide if information should be kept private.

When the EPA does its job under this law, they need to try their best to keep costs low and avoid delays.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS969154.

Topics:
Environment and resources > Town planning
Government and voting > Government departments
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24K: Information held by relevant administering and local authorities that is sensitive to iwi or hapū, or

“Protecting secrets of Māori communities when sharing information”

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24M: Panel invites comments on substantive application, or

“The panel asks different people and groups what they think about a big project”

Part 2 Fast-track approval approvals process for eligible projects
Process for panel consideration of substantive application: Provisions relating to information

24LEPA powers to make certain decisions

  1. The EPA—

  2. may make administrative decisions that are incidental or ancillary to the conduct of a panel; but
    1. must not make administrative decisions that would be inconsistent with, or preclude compliance with, clause 5 of Schedule 3 .

      1. The EPA must publish, free of charge to the public on an internet site it maintains, every written notice or other document that this Act requires to be—

      2. received by the EPA or a panel from any person; or
        1. sent by the EPA or a panel to any person.

          1. In complying with subsection (2) , the EPA may withhold information if the EPA is satisfied that there would be good reason to withhold the information under the Official Information Act 1982 if the information were requested under that Act.

          2. In performing and exercising its functions, duties, and powers under this Act, the EPA must, as far as is reasonably practicable, minimise costs and avoid delay.