Wednesday, 12 December 2012 09:08

RMA reform passes first reading

Written by 

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."

More like this

Tractor therapy

While many MPs have been busy taking holidays in maybe exotic places, for Andrew Hoggard it's back to his old job as a dairy farmer during the so-called 'summer break'.

Editorial: Celebrating dairy

OPINION: While dairy farmers were busy milking cows last Wednesday morning, 150 leaders and stakeholders of the industry gathered at Parliament over breakfast to celebrate their achievements.

Featured

LIC ends year with $30.6m profit

Herd improvement company LIC has ended the 2024-25 financial year in a strong position - debt-free and almost quadrupling its net profit.

Farmers back Government pause on RMA plan changes

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).

Flood-hit Tasman farms begin long recovery

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.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Trop de Paris!

OPINION: Your old mate's ear has been chewed off recently by farmers voicing their displeasure with the National Party, particularly…

NZ vs Aussie beef

OPINION: Your old mate hears that at a recent China Business Summit, PM Christopher Luxon delivered a none-too-subtle "could try…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter