Having considered the application against the criteria in the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Act 2020 (the Act) and the Act’s purpose, and having sought and considered written comments from the relevant Ministers, Auckland Council, Auckland Transport, the New Zealand Transport Agency, Watercare Services Limited, and Transpower New Zealand Limited, the Minister for the Environment has accepted this application for referral for the following reasons:
the project will generate employment by providing up to 440 direct full-time equivalent jobs per year during the 4-year planning and construction period; and
the project will improve economic and employment opportunities and outcomes for people affected by COVID-19 (retailers and hospitality), and have positive effects on social well-being, by providing infrastructure to service large format buildings for retail activities; and
the project will improve environmental outcomes through revegetation of Hingaia Stream; and
the project is likely to progress faster than would otherwise be the case under the Resource Management Act 1991 standard processes.