Frustration with red tape and the prospect of not being able to start its its ''nationally significant'' Ruakura commercial hub and inland port plan for many years has driven Tainui Group Holdings to the Government for help.

TGH, the commercial development arm of Waikato-Tainui, has asked the Environmental Protection Authority to decide if the $3.3 billion Waikato project is of national significance.

For a private plan change to be accepted for review by the EPA, the project must be classified as one of national significance.

TGH chief executive Mike Pohio said the EPA would make a recommendation to the Minister for the Environment on this question and whether it should be referred to a board of inquiry.

The minister would make the final decision, Pohio said.

TGH's master plan for its Ruakura land is a staged 30-50 year project and covers more than 500 hectares.

The application seeks to start clearing the way for consents for the first 10-15 years of development on 380 hectares of the land.

The application was jointly lodged by TGH and Hamilton's Chedworth Properties, which would build a residential community to house those who work at the proposed commercial hub and inland port.

Pohio said detailed planning for the Ruakura project started five years ago.

Under the Hamilton City Council's proposed district plan - a process that took 13 years last time round - much of the land at Ruakura remained subject to restrictive provisions preventing TGH and Chedworth from proceeding, Pohio said.

Under EPA's board of inquiry process, the two parties could possibly apply for resource consents mid next year, and start development in 2015 - the year TGH has eyed for a start date for many years.

Pohio said the board of inquiry process would be independent and an open, robust process to which everyone could make submissions.

TGH said what makes the project of national significance is its ''unique'' location between the ports of Auckland and Tauranga, its size, the fact it is on the main rail line and would create 11,000 jobs directly and indirectly and once completed, its business activity would inject around $4.4 billion into the Waikato economy.

TGH's fear of its plan getting bogged down in red tape for years to come was sharpened recently when Hamilton city councillors rejected the company's bid for a hearing to get a technical prohibition on part of the Ruakura land.

The councillors' reaction in an election year followed vocal criticism of TGH's plan from a group of neighbouring lifestyle block owners.

TGH has appealed that decision to the Environment Court. If the company is successful in getting a board of inquiry, Pohio said it would withdraw that appeal.