Editorial: A roller coaster ride coming?

As Chris Bishop says, the details of the 'new RMA' are still being worked out, but it's clear major changes are in the wind.

Of late, government ministers have weighed in against local authorities for straying from core business such as providing essential utilities and throwing money at other dubious activities - dare we say, cycleways that clog up cities such as Wellington.

There is rightly frustration in the primary sector over the actions of both district and regional councils, who, in the eyes of the present coalition, have placed unnecessary and unworkable restrictions on farmers and growers.

Two things now are clear. Firstly, silly restrictions will have no place in the new RMA, although the Government says it will not back away from rules that protect the environment or in any way compromise New Zealand's high quality primary exports.

Secondly, and one can almost see worry wrinkles appearing on the faces of politicians and staff in local government, is that with the new RMA there will be significant changes to the roles and responsibilities of local government.

The last major changes in this area were in 1989 and it's clearly time for another shakeup. To be fair, some of the problems that local government get blamed for are the result of previous governments' edicts.

But don't be surprised to see change of the like we saw nearly 40 years ago. While the new RMA will make allowances for regional and district differences, central government will tighten up the powers of these organisations.

There may even be a move to abolish regional councils and replace them with unitary authoritaries throughout the country. These already exist in places such as Gisborne, Nelson and Marlborough.

So, watch this space and get ready to ride the new roller coaster.