Planned changes to the Resource Management Act have been welcomed by Contact Energy but it will not look at taking advantage of them to fast-track any proposed hydro-electric developments on the Clutha River just yet.
The Government yesterday unveiled a series of about 100 changes it wants made to the Act to streamline the resource consent process.
It is also seeking to speed up the red tape often involved in major infrastructure projects of national significance.
Late last year, Contact revealed it was taking a fresh look at three previously scrapped projects to build dams on the river at Queensberry, Luggate and Tuapeka Mouth.
When asked if the planned government changes might clear the way for any or all of those projects to take shape faster, the power company was noncommittal.
Spokesman Jonathan Hill said it had yet to completely study the planned overhaul of the Act but "a quick glance" appeared to show a sensible approach was being taken. .
Contact has been involved in several long and costly resource consent applications, the most notable being the reissuing of consent rights on the Clutha - a process that took more than six years and cost millions of dollars.
Mr Hill said any changes that would speed up those time frames and expenses had to be welcomed.
But the company was also committed to ensuring the resource consent process gave the wider community a fair chance to take part in the debate over significant projects.
The company has previously said it wants to engage with the communities along the Clutha River and hear their views about any possible moves towards revisiting any hydro-electric development on those waters.
The planned new-look Act did not change its approach, Mr Hill said.
