Beyond the RMA: Oram - RMA letting us down

Tuesday, 29 May 2007, 11:59 am
Press Release: Environmental Defence Society

Media Release

29 May 2007

RMA letting us down

New Zealand is failing to deliver on its 100% pure brand “because of inadequate legal and regulatory frameworks,” says Rod Oram, a guest speaker at an environmental conference being held in Auckland this week.

Mr Oram says a high quality, sustainable environment is crucial to the primary sector’s business model and is part of the pitch to overseas customers by the education, creative, manufacturing and some other sectors.

“Of all OECD countries, New Zealand is the most dependent on its environment for the living it earns in the world economy,” he says. “It is an intrinsic part of our national brand and a factor in attracting immigrants and retaining residents."

“But in its current form the RMA serves New Zealand poorly and is not responding well to escalating environmental pressures and rising public demands."

Mr Oram is speaking at the Environmental Defence Society (EDS) national conference, Beyond the RMA in Auckland later this week (30-31 May).

The Environmental Defence Society has long campaigned for improved environmental outcomes under the RMA including better landscape protection, improved management of coastal development, and protection of aquatic areas.

“EDS’s agenda for improving the RMA includes the preparation of National Policy Statements and National Environmental Standards that would bolster the existing legislation,” says EDS Chair, Gary Taylor.

Mr Oram says since the RMA became law in 1991, most of the effort to develop it has focused on its processes rather than its purposes. For example, councils and the Environment Court have significantly improved their skills in handling consents and cases. But far less work has gone into ensuring the RMA has kept pace with economic and environmental developments.

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“The effectiveness of the RMA is patchy. In rural areas it can cope with allocation and management of relatively abundant resources. But it cannot cope when resources, particularly water, are fully allocated. Nor can it cope with cumulative effects.

“Administration of the Act might have become more efficient but the legislation has failed to respond to greater pressures on the environment from, for example, the intensification of some economic activities or greater demands from the public for higher standards and more certain sustainability,” he says.

Mr Oram says he predicts a situation in which, without an adequate legal and regulatory framework, New Zealand will suffer serious damage to its reputation and ability to earn part of its living in the global economy.

ENDS

Beyond the RMA - An in-depth exploration of the Resource Management Act 1991
A not-for-profit conference organised by the Environmental Defence Society
30-31 May 2007, Langham Hotel, Auckland

In association with the New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development and the New Zealand Council for Infrastructure Development

www.rma2007.com

See... RMA: Oram Paper May 2007 (PDF)

Environmental Defence Society

EDS speaks for the environment. It has influence.

Since 1971, EDS has been driving environmental protection in Aotearoa New Zealand through law and policy change. That's why it's one of this country's most influential non- profit organisations when it comes to achieving better environmental outcomes.

EDS has expertise in key disciplines including law, planning, landscape and science. It operates as a policy think-tank, a litigation advocate, and a collaborator – bringing together the private and public sectors for constructive engagement.

EDS runs conferences and seminars on topical issues, including an annual Environmental Summit and the Climate Change and Business Conference.

EDS is a registered charity and donations to it are tax-deductible.