The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has accepted the New Zealand Government’s fast-tracked application for the Northland Shipyard and Dry Dock as complete, allowing it to progress through a streamlined approvals process.
“Clearing this first procedural step means an expert panel can now consider the application for this … significant piece of infrastructure,” Resources Minister Shane Jones said on 5 October.
The Government intends for the Northland Shipyard and Dry Dock to service New Zealand’s largest naval and civilian vessels, it said on 22 August. Large New Zealand vessels often travel to Asian ports, including the Port of Singapore, for maintenance.
But the Government does not expect to find a development partner for the project until it is fully consented, Jones – in his role as New Zealand First Regional Development Spokesperson – told Lithos in a wide-ranging interview on 11 September.
“Discussions have taken place at [the] officials level with different interests in Singapore, Japan, and America. But they’ve all said ‘you Kiwis talk a big game, but you never consent anything,’” Jones said.
“That’s why we’ve started with getting [the project] consented via the fast-track [pathway,]” Jones added.
The Government’s fast-track consenting pathway could halve the Northland Shipyard and Dry Dock’s development time from eight years to four years, once a developer joins the project, the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment estimated in 2024.
Fast-tracked consent applications are assessed by expert panels, rather than local and regional councils. But the EPA needs to accept applications as complete before expert panels assess them.
On 22 September, the EPA rejected BT Mining’s fast-tracked application for its Buller Plateaux Continuation coking coal project because the company failed to address land rights and wildlife concerns.
BT Mining – a joint venture between Bathurst Resources and Talley’s Energy – plans to amend and resubmit its fast-tracked application soon, Bathurst Resources said at the time.
The Government introduced its fast-track consenting process in 2024, and has primarily used it to support mines, housing developments, and infrastructure projects over the last two years.
By Avinash Govind