An independent board of inquiry is to decide whether Wellington's Transmission Gully will get the green light within nine months, Environment Minister Nick Smith has announced.
The New Zealand Transport Agency, the Porirua City Council and Transpower have sought approval under the Resource Management Act for the project, which will see a 27-kilometre inland highway from Linden to MacKays Crossing giving motorists an alternative to the often congested State Highway 1.
"Transmission Gully is a nationally significant roading project that impacts the greater Wellington region, as well as wider New Zealand. I am referring this application, consistent with the Authority's recommendation, to an independent Board of Inquiry for its consideration and ultimate decision," Dr Smith said.
The process will enable affected people to have their say, Dr Smith said, but will decide on the project's fate within nine months.
Environment Court Judge Brian Dwyer has been named as chair of the board of inquiry, and board members will include Environment Commissioner Russell Howie, resource management consultant David McMahon, traffic engineering consultant David Mitchell and Resource Management Act and tikanga Maori expert Glenice Paine.