A long-awaited redevelopment of Nelson Hospital could be looked at under the fast-track process. File photo. Photo: RNZ / Samantha Gee
Four big hospital redevelopments could get looked at under the fast-track approval powers that the government is seeking.
Advice to the Health Minister in April said the fast-track process might help with the redevelopments - but it might not - and in nearly all other circumstances, the fast track would not be faster or more efficient.
Te Whatu Ora said in a document that only the major hospital builds in Nelson, Tauranga, Hastings and Palmerston North might qualify.
But all four were at too early a stage to tell.
"The fast-track process could support a major hospital proposed development if it needs to breach what is permitted under the designation, or underlying zoning rules of the" council, it said.
"Having the fast-track process available, when required, will allow the planning of these projects to optimise the use of our land."
But Health NZ mostly already owned the land, and zoning was permissive for health facilities.
"Therefore, in most circumstances the fast-track process would not result in a more timely and cost-efficient process than normal consenting," said the ministerial advice.
The fast-track might actually hold up a project, by negating the ability to negotiate friendly consent conditions.
"This could result in more significantly onerous conditions than otherwise would be the case."
None of Health NZ's 1500 small projects nation-wide fit the criteria of needing to be significant, and 74 bigger projects - worth more than $10m each - already had their consents.
The fast-track approvals legislation is due to be reported back to Parliament in early October.
