Government issues warning on RMA compliance
The Government has issued a stern warning to regional councils and unitary authorities to toe the line in respect upcoming changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA).
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."
Dawn Meats is set to increase its proposed investment in Alliance Group by up to $25 million following stronger than forecast year-end results by Alliance.
A day after the ouster of PGG Wrightson’s chair and his deputy, the listed rural trader’s board has appointed John Nichol as the new independent chair.
Tributes are pouring in from across the political divide for former Prime Minister Jim Bolger who passed away, aged 90.
The iconic services building at National Fieldays' Mystery Creek site will be demolished to make way for a "contemporary replacement that better serves the needs of both the community and event organisers," says board chair Jenni Vernon.
Agri advisor Perrin Ag says its graduate recruitment programme continues to bring new talent into the agricultural sector.
Entries are open for the 2026 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA).
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