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Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

Fast-track approvals process - Panel consideration of substantive application - Further information, etc

67: Panel may request further information or report

You could also call this:

"The panel can ask for more information to help make a decision on a big application."

Illustration for Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

When you are dealing with a big application, a panel might need more information to make a decision. The panel can ask the Environmental Protection Authority to get more information from people like the person who made the application, a local council, or a government agency. They can also ask for a report on something related to the application.

If someone is asked for more information, they must send it to the Environmental Protection Authority or say why they cannot provide it. You have to do this by a certain date, which is decided by the panel, and it cannot be more than 10 working days after they ask.

The Environmental Protection Authority must then send the information to the panel, the person who made the application, and anyone who commented on the application under section 35 or 53. These people can only comment again if the panel asks them to.

If the panel does not get the information they asked for, they will make a decision without it, as if the person had said they could not provide the information.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS969326.

Topics:
Environment and resources > Town planningGovernment and voting > Government departments
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"What happens to your application if it's been on hold for 50 working days"

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"Panel can ask for extra information about land use requests"

Part 2Fast-track approvals process
Panel consideration of substantive application: Further information, etc

67Panel may request further information or report

  1. At any time before a panel makes its decisions under section 81 on a substantive application, the panel may direct the EPA—

  2. to request further information in relation to the application from any or all of the following:
    1. the applicant (or, if the application is lodged by more than 1 authorised person, any of those persons):
      1. a relevant local authority:
        1. a relevant administering agency:
          1. any person or group invited to provide comments under section 35 or 53:
          2. to prepare or commission a report (including a report from a relevant local authority) on an issue relevant to the application.

            1. If further information is requested under subsection (1)(a), the person or body requested to provide the information must—

            2. provide electronic copies of the information or report requested; or
              1. advise the EPA, with reasons, that it declines to provide the information or report requested.

                1. Subsection (2) must be complied with by the date directed by the panel, which must not be later than 10 working days after the direction is given.

                2. The EPA must provide electronic copies of any information or report it receives under this section to—

                3. the panel; and
                  1. the applicant; and
                    1. every person or group that provides comments under section 35 or 53.

                      1. The persons who, or groups that, receive the information or report under subsection (4)(c) may not make further comments unless requested by the panel.

                      2. If information requested under subsection (1) is not received by the panel in accordance with subsections (2) and (3), the panel must proceed as if the request for further information had been declined.

                      Compare
                      • 2020 No 35 Schedule 6 cl 25
                      • 2023 No 46 Schedule 10 cl 30