Thursday, 09 September 2021 09:55

Wait on RMA reforms - Feds

Written by  Staff Reporters
Federated Farmers vice-president Karen Williams. Federated Farmers vice-president Karen Williams.

Federated Farmers is urging the Government not to try and push through radical reforms of the Resource Management Act (RMA) during the current pandemic.

Vice-president Karen Williams says all is not well with important pieces of the legislation.

"But before we replace the RMA, let's make sure the new legislation will drive better outcomes."

The Government is proposing a drastic overhaul of New Zealand's resource management framework with its Natural and Built Environments Bill.

"But from what we can see in the skeleton of the Bill available so far, things will be much worse, communities will be robbed of their ability to have their say on matters that affect them, there will be disruption to society and the economy, and the environment will be no better off," Williams claims.

"A big problem is not just with what we have seen to date but what is yet to come.

"We've only seen the bare bones of the proposed Natural and Built Environments Act (NBA) and nothing ot the other two pivotal Acts that are proposed to replace the RMA - the Strategic Planning Act and the Climate Change Adaption Act.

"We are effectively running blind at the moment due to a lack of detail," Williams adds.

She says, at this stage, there is no guarantee at all that the Bill will generate more benefits than costs and there is a significant risk of the reverse.

"We mus not under-estimate the costs of delay and the risk of drawn-out litigation that could stem from the lack of clarity. Large chunks of the economy are underpinned by consents and related resource management processes."

Feds' subission included suggested changes to Part 2 of the Bull (the purpose and related provisions), to turn it back to the terminology and concepts in the RMA.

"Any replacement legislation needs to keep local democracy, community stewardship and local identity. They belong at the heart of resource management."

More like this

Sticky situation

OPINION: The Federated Farmers rural advocacy hub at Fieldays has been touted as a great success.

Featured

Editorial: Agri's mojo is back

OPINION: Good times are coming back for the primary industries. From sentiment expressed at Fieldays to the latest rural confidence survey results, all indicate farmer confidence at a near-record high.

National

Machinery & Products

Calf feeding boost

Advantage Plastics says it is revolutionising calf meal storage and handling, making farm life easier, safer, and more efficient this…

JD's precision essentials

Farmers across New Zealand are renowned for their productivity and efficiency, always wanting to do more with less, while getting…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Don't hold back!

OPINION: ACT MP Mark Cameron isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but he certainly calls it how he sees it, holding…

Sorry, not sorry

OPINION: Did former PM Jacinda Ardern get fawning reviews for her book?

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter