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Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Fast-track approvals process - Panel consideration of substantive application - Suspension of processing substantive application

62: Minister may direct suspension in processing substantive application

You could also call this:

“Minister can pause big project applications for more information”

The Minister can tell the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) in writing to stop working on an application for a project. The Minister can do this at any time after a panel has received the application.

The Minister might do this if they think:

  • The project needs different or more approvals
  • These approvals are related to the same law as the current application
  • It would be better to understand the project if the application was changed to include these approvals before the panel continues

If the Minister tells the EPA to stop, the EPA has to let several people know within 5 working days. These people include the panel, local authorities, the person who applied, and anyone else involved in providing advice or comments about the application.

When the EPA tells these people, they must include what the Minister said and why. The panel and anyone who was supposed to give advice or make recommendations must then stop working on the application.

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This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS969216.

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Part 2 Fast-track approvals process
Panel consideration of substantive application: Suspension of processing substantive application

62Minister may direct suspension in processing substantive application

  1. The Minister may, at any time after a substantive application has been provided to a panel, give a written direction, with reasons, to the EPA that processing of the application be suspended.

  2. The Minister may give a direction under subsection (1) if the Minister considers that—

  3. different or further approvals are required in respect of the project; and
    1. those approvals relate to the same specified Act as an approval that is sought in the substantive application; and
      1. the nature of the project would be better understood if the substantive application were amended to seek those approvals before the panel proceeds further.

        1. If the EPA receives a direction from the Minister under subsection (1), the EPA must, within 5 working days after receiving the direction, give notice of the direction to—

        2. the panel; and
          1. the relevant local authorities; and
            1. the applicant; and
              1. if advice or a report has been requested from a person under section 51 and is yet to be provided to the EPA, that person; and
                1. if a recommendation has been requested from the relevant chief executive under section 48 and is yet to be made, the relevant chief executive; and
                  1. if persons or groups have been invited to provide comments under section 35 or 53, those persons or groups.

                    1. A notice under subsection (3) must include a copy of the direction and reasons received from the Minister by the EPA.

                    2. The panel and a person referred to in subsection (3)(d) or (e) must suspend processing of the substantive application if they receive a notice under subsection (3).

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