Morning Report

Environmentalists are suspicious that the true impact of fast-tracking infrastructure projects is being underestimated.

Minister for the Environment David Parker has announced eleven projects to be fast-tracked through the resource management process.

But Forest and Bird believes the proposed decision-making process will not factor in a large project's long-term environmental effects.

Conservation manager Jen Miller speaks to Corin Dann.

A brief update from the business sector.

News from the rural and farming sector.

One of the projects the government is fast tracking to help kick start the economy is facing continued backlash over the demolition of homes.

The Northern Pathway cycleway or "Sky Path" on Auckland's Harbour Bridge is one of 11 projects listed in the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track) Bill that will be introduced in the House later this week.

Under the bill, the public and councils won't have input into whether projects can go ahead; instead, a panel of experts will decide.

Homes along Princes Street face demolition for a ramp to be built as part of the skypath project.

Carol Brown and her husband's home of 35 years is on the line and she told political reporter Charlie Dreaver they still intend to fight the decision, but see it as a losing battle.

Fullback James Tedesco has scored a hattrick of tries as the Sydney Roosters crushed the Canterbury Bulldogs 42-6 in their NRL clash in Campbelltown.

Top Stories for Tuesday 16 June 2020,

A South Island community is on a mission to spread "the joy of Christmas" yes, in June to people in need of some cheer in a town struck hard by Covid-19.

The Wanaka community is hosting a mid-winter Christmas this Friday for up to 150 people who might be feeling lonely or in need of a good meal.

Yeverley McCarthy is the chairperson of the Wanaka Community Hub.

She speaks to Susie Ferguson.

Christchurch's New Brighton community is sick of delays in a long promised revamp to its run-down local shopping area, and is calling on the council to dump the group it's given the job to.

Development Christchurch was set up by the City Council in 2016 to revitalise quake damaged areas like New Brighton.

A master plan for the area was agreed to in 2015 after three years of development - but five years on locals say there is nothing to show of it.

Rachel Graham has more.

Boutique Canterbury skifields are fearful for their future as new Transport Agency rules around snow and State Highway 73 take effect.

A new system has been introduced for the southern alpine passes which, when there's snow, will limit movement for cars, even those with chains.

Porter Heights, Mount Cheeseman, Craigieburn, Temple Basin and Broken River skifields could all be affected by the changes.

Ross Campbell is president of the Broken River Ski Club.

He speaks to Susie Ferguson.

An injection of money into cash-strapped community health care services is expected to cover most of the immediate extra costs from Covid-19 but anxiety over long-term funding remains.

More than $92 million will go into essential health services that financially suffered during Covid-19, as well as into testing labs and ventilators.

It is the first instalment of $59 billion worth of funding from the Covid-19 Recovery and Response Fund.

Eva Corlett reports.