PM hints Govt to deliver 46% reduction in farming consents

Speaking at a Federated Farmers meeting in Waikato yesterday, Christopher Luxon promised “a wholesale upheaval of the RMA”.

He also urged everyone including regional councils to “have a cup of tea” and allow the Government to get the new legislation in place.

The Coalition Government has promised to replace the Resource Management Act 1991 with two new pieces of legislation - the Planning Bill and the Natural Environment Bill. Details will be announced on Tuesday.

“We are planning an RME where there should be 46% fewer consents,” Luxon told 120 farmers at Mystery Creek Event Centre.

“We know we need to deal with National Freshwater Statements and other things that actually set the direction for how that is managed by authorities across the country.”

Farmers complain that they are facing unnecessary cost, uncertainty and red tape just to renew their existing resource consents. They point out that they are spending thousands of dollars on a piece of paper that may not be needed once the RMA is rewritten in a few months’ time.

Environment Canterbury (ECan) administers around 20,000 resource consents, with thousands due to expire in the next 18 months.  A similar situation will happen in other parts of the country, albeit at a smaller scale.

Farmers say those trying to renew consents are being hit with excessive demands and crippling costs.

Luxon hinted that consents that are being renewed under the existing RMA may be extended by Government until the new legislations come into effect.

“I think the other thing that we'll see next week is that some of you will have consents that are processed under the old RMA right now and you're spending a lot of money on that.

“So, the goal is for you to find a way to extend those consents and then create a pathway for you, a transition process that will actually, understand the transition issues which will actually lead to a much better system.”

Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford, who also attended the meeting, says the Government has been steadily addressing the 12 priorities Federated Farmers outlined before the last election, as stated by the PM.

“The PM also signalled that two new Acts to replace the RMA will be announced next week. If they deliver as promised, the new laws could cut the number of consents by a massive 47%,” says Langford.

“He also cautioned councils implementing plans such as Plan Change 1(PC1) to slow down and ensure their actions align with the new resource management framework.

 “While we’ll wait to see the final details next week, early indications suggest farmers could be in for a very welcome outcome,” says Langford.