Government halts RMA planning work in major win for farmers
In a major win for farmers, the Government has directed regional councils to halt all work on plans and regional policy statement reviews under the Resource Management Act (RMA).
A bill that will help deliver a system that answers communities' planning needs, enables growth and provides strong environmental outcomes has passed its first reading in Parliament, says Environment Minister Amy Adams.
The Resource Management Reform Bill 2012, introduced by Adams, is part of a resource management reform package that next year will see further reforms, including specific proposals for improving the management of freshwater.
The key features of the bill are:
• A stronger requirement for councils to base their planning decisions on robust cost-benefit analysis
• A six-month time limit on the council processing of medium-sized consents
• A streamlined process for Auckland's first Unitary Plan
• Consent applications for major regional projects can be directly referred to the Environment Court more easily
• Enables the Minister for the Environment to make regulations requiring local authorities to monitor the environment according to specified priorities and methodologies
Adams says the costs, uncertainties and delays of the current resource management system are affecting New Zealand jobs, infrastructure and productivity, and place an unfair burden on communities.
"New Zealand is richly blessed with natural resources. The Government's reform package is about ensuring we manage our resources more effectively and efficiently to deliver both economic and environmental benefits for future generations, and recognising the key role of the RMA as the framework under which planning decisions are made."
Global trade wars and uncertain tariff regimes could play into the hands of many New Zealand exporters, according to Gareth Coleman ANZ’s Head of Trade & Supply Chain.
The long running trade dispute between NZ and Canada appears to be over.
Herd improvement company LIC has ended the 2024-25 financial year in a strong position - debt-free and almost quadrupling its net profit.
There's been widespread support from the primary sector for the Government's move to put the brakes on local authorities to do any more work on planning changes ahead of major changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA).
Rural health advocates say the Government's decision to establish a new medical school at the University of Waikato augurs well for the rural sector.
People affected by the recent two severe flood events in the Tasman district are weary and exhausted trying to deal with the devastation on their farms and orchards, according to the head of the Rural Support Trust (RST) in the region.
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