Any person can apply for an application to be considered for approval to enter the fast-track process, however projects must be of regional or national significance. 

The Fast-track Approvals Act 2024 (the Act) describes the process, including what projects are eligible and how referral decisions are made. The Minister for Infrastructure decides whether to accept projects for referral to the Fast-track. 

Applicants must provide a general level of detail in their application; sufficient to inform the Minister’s decision on whether to refer the project into the fast-track process. 

There are specified criteria for assessing a referral application. For example, the Minister may consider whether a project will increase the supply of housing, address housing needs, or contribute to a well-functioning urban environment.

Depending on the project’s areas or sectors of activity, other approvals may be needed as part of the Fast-track process in addition to a resource consent or a certificate of compliance. 

Applicants must fill out the Fast-track Substantive Application Form available on the www.fasttrack.govt.nz website.

This must include information such as:

• a description of the proposed activity,
• a description of the site,
• the type of approval(s) being sought (e.g. resource consents, wildlife permits etc),
• an assessment of the activity against sections 5, 6 and 7 under the Resource Management Act 1991, and
• an assessment of the activity against documents such as national environmental standards,
• a New Zealand coastal policy statement,
• a regional policy statement, and
• other relevant plans and regulations.