Fast Track Consenting Pathway gives surety of timing

Whakatāne’s new proposed boat harbour has been awarded the opportunity to use the Fast Track resource consenting process offered under the government’s Covid-19 Recovery Act 2020.

Project Director Phil Wardale explains that this process enables a more stream-lined consent process, designed to support New Zealand’s recovery from the economic and social impacts of COVID-19.

“We have been fortunate and privileged to secure approval to utalise the Fast Track consenting pathway for such a transformational project, we are only the twentieth project in New Zealand to receive this and the first in the Eastern Bay of Plenty,” he says.

“It gives the boat harbour, which has been carefully designed with the needs of the environment and the community in mind, certainty of timing through the consenting process and enables it to get underway within a given timeline,” he says.

“Subject to receipt of consents we could be underway with construction soon after the middle of the year [2022], with construction expected to take approximately two years.”

“In order to fast track the resource consent application, the time frame for the application is condensed.  This means it’s up to us as a project delivery team to ensure we have provided a robust and well considered consent application that answers any and all questions that may arise.”

“We want anyone that is interested to know more to reach out and understand the project more.”

There are opportunities for the community to hear more about this exciting project.  Anyone who is interested in finding out more, or contributing a viewpoint, click here to receive updates, or to contact Project Director Phil Wardale on phil@terahui.nz or 021667445.