Infrastructure Minister, Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister, Shane Jones, have welcomed the formation of the Government’s first two fast-track expert panels.
Panel Convener, retired Environment Court judge, Jane Borthwick, and Associate Panel Convener, Helen Atkins, have now appointed expert panels to assess the Maitahi Village project and Delmore project applications respectively.
Maitahi Village is a retirement village development in Nelson of around 180 residential dwellings (50 being Iwi-led housing), a commercial centre, and a retirement village with approximately 194 townhouses and 36 in-care facility units, and Delmore is an Auckland project of approximately 1,250 residential units, including features such as parks.
“Each expert panel will assess the project, decide whether to consent it, and apply any relevant conditions. Final decisions are expected for these applications by the 12th of September,” said Mr Bishop.
“The expert panels include members with technical expertise relevant to the project and expertise in environmental matters.
“This Government is serious about growing our economy, and doing its part to make infrastructure and housing quicker, easier, and cheaper to build in New Zealand. I am pleased to see the formation of these panels and look forward to watching the process move forward.”
The Maitahi Village Expert Panel members are:
- Honourable Lyn Stevens KC (chair)
- Andrew Whaley
- Glenice Paine
- Sam Flewellen
The Delmore Auckland Subdivision includes the development of approximately 1,250 residential dwellings and associated features such as parks, including delivery of the State Highway 1 Grand Drive interchange and Wainui area connection.
The Delmore (Auckland) Expert Panel members are:
- Helen Atkins (Chair)
- Lisa Mein
- Nigel Mark-Brown.
These panels will commence their work on Monday, 12 May.
