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Fast-track Approvals Bill

Fast-track approval approvals process for eligible projects - Process for panel consideration of substantive application - Suspension of processing substantive application

24R: Minister may direct suspension in processing substantive application

You could also call this:

“Minister can pause your project application if more approvals are needed”

The Minister can tell the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) in writing to stop working on your application for a project. This can happen any time after your application has been given to a panel.

The Minister might do this if they think:

  • Your project needs different or more approvals
  • These new approvals are related to the same law as the approval you’re already asking for
  • It would be better to understand your project if you changed your application to include these new approvals before the panel keeps going

If the Minister tells the EPA to stop, the EPA has to let some people know within 5 working days. They have to tell:

  • The panel members
  • The local councils involved
  • You (the person who applied)
  • Any government agencies who were asked for advice but haven’t given it yet
  • The chief executive if they were asked for a recommendation but haven’t given it yet
  • Any people or groups who were invited to give comments

When the EPA tells these people, they have to include what the Minister said and why.

If you’re on the panel, a government agency asked for advice, or the chief executive asked for a recommendation, you must stop working on the application when you get this notice.

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 It might be out of date or be missing some parts.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=LMS969216.

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24QB: EPA may direct suspension in processing substantive application, or

“EPA can pause your application if you haven't paid”

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24RA: Resumption in processing substantive application following suspension under section 24R, or

“How the Minister can restart work on your application after telling the EPA to stop”

Part 2 Fast-track approval approvals process for eligible projects
Process for panel consideration of substantive application: Suspension of processing substantive application

24RMinister 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 members of the panel; and
          1. the relevant local authorities; and
            1. the authorised person who lodged the substantive application; and
              1. if advice or a report has been requested from an agency under section 24G and is yet to be provided to the EPA, that agency; and
                1. if a recommendation has been requested from the chief executive under section 24FA and is yet to be made, the chief executive; and
                  1. if persons or groups have been invited to provide comments under section 24AC or 24M , 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. A person who receives a notice under subsection (3)(a), (ca), or (cb) must suspend processing of the substantive application.