Media statement Thursday, January 22, 2015

Vital RMA changes about time

The changes telegraphed for the Resource Management Act is the most important piece of work the government will undertake during this term of office, the Employers and Manufacturers Association says.

"The business community is watching these developments with intense interest," said Kim Campbell, EMA's chief executive.

"But its not just about business," he said.

"The interests of the whole community stand to gain most significantly if we can restore the framework for New Zealand's environment and economic development to world best practice standard.

"Our living standards and lifestyle depend on it.

"For instance, the inclusion of the impacts of natural hazards, and opening up the availability of land for housing are issues clearly in everyone's interests.

"The public recognition of the need for change is welcome, and we are heartened to see a measure of bipartisan support for it.

"Councils are one of the weakest links for adding compliance costs to housing, commercial developments, and to the infrastructure projects intended to benefit their own communities.

"Business will expect the reforms to ensure councils become more consistent with delays and uncertainty greatly diminished, and their transactions costs much lower. The focus on national standards will deplete the hotchpotch of council approaches.

"The reforms should also curb councils' ability to hide behind false efficiency measures. Claims, for example, that 98 per cent of consents are issued within statutory time frames should be laid bare by the new legislation.

"Business hopes too that the new regime's legal requirements will limit the opportunities for commercial adventurism, litigation and bounty hunting behavior."

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