July 24, 2019
Resource Management Act set for rewrite
The Resource Management is set to be overhauled, with Environment Minister David Parker saying he wants to cut complexity and costs and better enable urban development.
Attempts by the previous National-led Government to reform the 30-year-old law failed because of opposition from the Māori Party over the level of consultation required with iwi.
Mr Parker says the current law is not working as intended and amendments have made it large and complex.
He wants to create a system that better enables economic growth within environmental limits and which aligns the economy with the environment.
A panel chaired by retired Appeal Court Judge Tony Randerson, who has considerable resource management expertise, will look at issues such as urban development, environmental bottom lines, and effective – but not overly complex – participation, including by Māori.
It is expected to produce a proposal for reform, including drafts of key legislative provisions, by mid-2020.
Meanwhile, the Government will press ahead with work to improve freshwater quality and urban development, protect highly productive land and indigenous biodiversity, and reduce waste, because these are urgent and cannot wait for the comprehensive reform plan.
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