Fast-track
What is Fast-track?
The Government's Fast-track Approvals Act 2024 introduces a streamlined approvals process for projects that deliver significant regional or national benefits, including housing, infrastructure, business development and renewable energy projects. The legislation enables eligible projects to obtain approvals under multiple Acts through a single process, helping reduce timeframes and provide greater certainty for project delivery.
How does Fast-track impact the Future Proof sub-region?
Fast-track has the potential to accelerate the delivery of housing, employment land, infrastructure and investment across the Future Proof sub-region. As growth pressures continue across Hamilton, Waikato, Waipā and Matamata-Piako, the ability to bring forward key projects can help support growing communities, strengthen the economy and deliver critical infrastructure sooner.
Future Proof provides the long-term strategic framework for growth across the sub-region, identifying where future growth should occur, the infrastructure needed to support it, and the actions required to achieve coordinated outcomes over the next 30 years. The Strategy helps ensure growth is planned in a way that is integrated with transport, water, environmental and community objectives.
Fast-track projects may influence the timing, scale and location of development within the sub-region. Some projects may accelerate the delivery of outcomes already identified in the Future Proof Strategy, while others may introduce new opportunities and considerations for future land use, infrastructure planning and investment decisions.
While Future Proof's long-term direction remains in place, the partnership continues to monitor growth trends, infrastructure planning and development activity across the sub-region. This enables partners to respond to changing circumstances, understand the implications of Fast-track projects, and ensure growth continues to be coordinated in a way that supports thriving communities, a strong economy and a healthy environment.
Fast-track activity in the sub-region
There are at least 25 fast-track applications across the Future Proof sub-region (including housing and business developments), with the potential to materially shift land-use outcomes and infrastructure demand.
