Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says the new Resource Management Act changes aim to stop delays from powerless groups, not Māori.
Yesterday, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop announced plans for two new bills—the Planning Act and Natural Environment Act—to standardise land zoning and limit the RMA’s broad reach.
Jones reassures that Treaty settlements are safe and says the real target is environmental groups that stall projects with legal challenges.
“They’ve been able to chart a course forward, which keeps projects locked into litigation for excessively long periods of time. It’s not good for the country, and it doesn’t actually get to a win-win situation,” says Jones.
Shane Jones believes these changes will boost industrial development, creating more jobs and services for New Zealanders.
