Martha mine, an opencast gold mine in Waihi, New Zealand. Credit: Tomas Pavelka via Shutterstock.

The New Zealand Government plans to include 149 projects in a fast-track approvals bill, focusing on housing, infrastructure, mining and agriculture to stimulate a slowing economy. 

According to the country’s Infrastructure Minister, Chris Bishop, the projects being readied for incorporation in the government’s streamlined Fast Track Approvals Bill will contribute to rebuilding the economy, enhancing energy security and addressing the infrastructure shortfall. 

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Regional Development Minister Shane Jones said the bill is a “key part of the government’s plan to rebuild our economy and cut through the red and green tape that has made it more and more difficult to build the projects New Zealand needs”. 

The projects comprise 58 housing or land development projects, 43 infrastructure projects, 22 renewable energy projects, 11 mining projects, eight quarrying projects and seven aquaculture and farming projects. 

Jones added that the mining projects will “significantly contribute to the government’s objective of doubling the value of our mineral exports to $2bn [NZ$3.27bn) by 2035, involving the extraction of coal, gold, iron sands and mineral sands”.  

According to the government, these projects have quantifiable benefits to overall gross domestic product, create highly skilled and well-paid jobs in the regions, and generate additional advantages such as the retention of regional infrastructure. 

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The project to mine the seabed off the coast of Taranaki by Trans-Tasman Resources (TTR) is part of this and has drawn attention. Last month, Greenpeace held a protest outside the Wellington office of mining advocacy group Straterra due to worries that TTR might expedite the approval process for its project. Another project worth mentioning is the Bathurst coal mining project on the West Coast. 

“We’re also as committed as ever to fighting seabed mining off the coast of Taranaki, protecting the oceans from commercial fishing interests and deep-sea mining, and stopping any attempt at oil and gas exploration before it starts,” Greenpeace stated.  

Additionally, the non-profit organisation mentioned that the bill would enable only three ministers to authorise or reject development projects without undergoing the usual scrutiny and safeguards to preserve the environment.