'One Window' project pilot
‘One Window’ project pilot
A pilot project is commencing this week to assist with streamlining the consenting and permission process for mining applications.
To mine an area, a raft of different consents, concessions, permits, land access agreements, and other approvals are potentially required. This typically involves a sequential process through several regulatory processes, which often have overlapping requirements. A delay or an appeal at any one of the stages can result in significant delays to the remaining stages, and the full process.
“It is possible for applicants to apply for several consents or permissions at the same time, but this can still be time consuming,” said Heather McKay, Consents and Compliance Manager at the West Coast Regional Council. “While different agencies can have different considerations to cover, we believe efficiencies can be gained, and are working closely with our partner agencies to achieve this.”
The West Coast Economic Development Action Plan 2017 recognises the importance of the minerals sector to the West Coast. The Plan identifies the potential for improvement and efficiencies with the regulatory processes associated with mining activities. A project known as ‘One Window’ has been implemented to investigate and instigate potential improvements.
As part of the ‘One Window’ project, a presentation from New Zealand Petroleum and Mineral for permit holders, applicants, agents and other interested parties will be held on the morning of Wednesday 14 February. Individual appointments to discuss specific permitting matters are also available with NZP&M staff on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning. Staff from the Regional Council, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae and the Department of Conservation will also be available to assist those attending.
There is still space available for those interested in attending on Wednesday 14 February, or Thursday 15 February. To find out more, or to register for an appointment, please contact the West Coast Regional Council on 0508 800 118.
The priorities from the Growth Study to see the West Coast make the most of the opportunities for the future were clear. They included:
- Growing the West Coast visitor economy
- Making it easier to invest and do business in the region
- Supporting economic diversification
- Improving connectivity and infrastructure
- Developing better economic development arrangements.
The West Coast was included in the Government’s Regional Growth Programme in November 2015 and West Coast leaders and Ministers of the previous Government launched the Economic Development Action Plan in July 2017. The Growth Study Governance Group is made up of business
leaders, the two West Coast rūnanga and Mawhera, as well as representatives from central and local government.