26 August 2015

New RMA Policy Committee and independent hearings panel for Rotorua council

At a Rotorua Lakes Council meeting today (Wednesday 26 August), the council agreed to disestablish its existing Statutory Hearing Committee and replace it with an RMA (Resource Management Act) Policy Committee, and a separate Independent Hearings Commissioner Panel.

The changes are to come into effect from 30 October 2015.

Councillors voted 8-5 to support the changes, with councillors Rob Kent, Mark Gould, Peter Bentley, Glenys Searancke and Mike McVicker voting against.

The new RMA Policy Committee will carry out council functions relating to district plan reviews, variations and plan changes.

The committee is to be made up of two elected councillors, and an independent commissioner recommended by the proposed Te Arawa Board and subject to approval by the council.

The new Independent Hearings Commissioner Panel will comprise up to 10 council-approved independent hearings commissioners. They will be responsible for determining matters relating to resource consents and notices of requirements. The Te Arawa Board would have input into the selection process for hearings commissioners.

Rotorua Lakes Council Strategy and Partnerships group manager, Jean-Paul Gaston, explained that the separation of functions not only reflects 'good practice' identified by the Ministry for the Environment, but would also give effect to the council's commitment to involve Te Arawa in council decision-making processes.

Councillor Karen Hunt said the process the council had been looking at was very complex.

"We've never been at this crossroad where we have a new district plan. But the RMA has now changed to rolling reviews and we are in different times from the past.

"So the separation of functions is very good practice. We’re going to end up with some well-qualified and experienced commissioners," Ms Hunt said.

END

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