Govt aims to build infrastructure faster with law shakeup

Another law is set for a shakeup, as the Government moves to fast track infrastructure projects.

The Public Works Act allows Government agencies to force people and businesses to sell their land so big projects can be completed.

1News can exclusively reveal it's set for an overhaul — all with the aim of building infrastructure faster.

The Public Works Act first came along in the 1980s, it was all about thinking big to boost the economy.

It helped build the Marsden Point Oil Refinery and Clyde Dam, both fast tracked by the introduction of the Act.

It allows government agencies to legally acquire land from its owners. But it can take years, due to indecision over projects, and landowners challenging acquisitions.

Land Information Minister Chris Penk told 1News: "We want to know ways that we can basically speed up the process, which will give much more certainty to land owners and of course get infrastructure built much more quickly."

On the Act, Russell McVeagh partner Daniel Minhinnick said: "It doesn't really work that well for anybody, for infra providers it can be slow ... from a land owner perspective it can be complex, unwieldy, and there's generally a feeling that even at the end of the process landowners don't feel they've received full compensation."

Whether it's the Waterview Tunnel or the Waikato Expressway, thousands of people have had the knock on the door.

Public Works Advisory director Ian Campbell said people can be "absolutely shocked" and "given little warning".

"Those that we have represented just don't know what to do."

It often leads to legal challenges.

Last month, NZTA announced it had won a long running court battle with landowners over the final 11 hectare block of land for Taranaki's Mount Messenger Bypass.

Penk said: "We think if we can save some of the costs and time involved in court cases where people push the crown right to the edge and delay and incentivise that because they get a pay out, we'd rather spend that money on compensating people fairly and spend the money on infrastructure."

Projects like Hutt City's Riverlink has multiple agencies all working separately to buy up the same pieces of land.

"That's one of the things the review will look at specifically, to avoid those unnecessary delays and duplicates," Penk added.

Campbell said he would like to see "more wrap around services" for those affected.

"And also across government itself, more consistency in the way government agencies handle the act."

As for Māori land, Green MP Huhana Lyndon already has a bill before Parliament to prevent it being acquired compulsory.

"This is not intended and will not result in the crown's obligations in terms of Treaty of Waitangi settlements," said Penk.

After 25 years with no changes, there will now be a short sharp eight week consultation on the act before the legislative process takes off.