Labour urges communities to have their say on planning reforms

The Labour Party is urging people to make their voices heard on National's latest plans to amend the Resource Management Act and other planning laws, Labour Environment spokesperson Charles Chauvel says.

“Last night in Auckland, Environment Minister Nick Smith announced 51 proposals to alter the Resource Management, Land Transport legislation and the Public Works Act, with a view to fast-tracking planning decisions and reducing home construction costs.

“The proposals are open for public submission till 17 December, with the Government planning to introduce amending legislation early in 2011.”

Charles Chauvel said that the proposed reforms needed strong community input to ensure that the law was not changed solely to reflect development interests.

"Some of the proposals in the discussion document, to streamline planning processes and bring down home construction costs, have merit. But it is important that New Zealand's planning laws retain the facility for strong public input.

"It is essential that the balance of power in local communities not be tipped further in favour of developers," Charles Chauvel said.

"Householders need to be assured that they can continue to influence the character of their neighbourhoods and of proposed new construction in them. It's also vital that communities retain low-cost access to planning commissioner hearings, and to the Environment Court.

"I hope that progressive associations, neighbourhood groups and residents associations, as well as individual homeowners, take the time to read the discussion document and to make submissions on it. I also hope that the Government pays heed to community submissions.

"Labour will be monitoring this process carefully. If it simply turns into a developers' bonanza at the expense of the interests of communities, the reform package will not receive our support,” Charles Chauvel said.

ENDS

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