Streamlining of resource management Welcomed

MEDIA RELEASE

Councils welcome streamlining of resource management

For immediate release on 3 February 2009

“We welcome changes to the Resource Management Act which reduce the process, costs and amount of time councils spend on resource management issues”, Local Government New Zealand  President Lawrence Yule said today.

“The Resource Management Act (RMA) is a sophisticated law requiring high staff and resource commitment by every council as well as in central government. On that basis, we welcome any changes to streamline processes. We particularly welcome changes that make people’s interaction with this complex legislation less contentious and less a cause of friction.

“Local government holds a pivotal position in the management of New Zealand’s natural and physical resources.  Councils are only too aware of the responsibility this entails – both for New Zealand’s environment and for the nation’s economic growth and prosperity. 

“The resource management issues councils deal with every day are not easy and have significant consequences for individual communities, and the country as a whole. Given the broad considerations under the RMA, we welcome the retention of its current broad scope.

“We are concerned about some elements of the reform package. These include the potential role and nature of an Environmental Protection Agency and the imposition of penalties for process delay when so many of the factors affecting the process are outside council control. We also cannot understand the rationale for leaving discretion to an applicant as to who will hear and decide an application when the role of councils and local knowledge in RMA decision-making is such a fundamental principle of the Act. 

 “A key part of reviewing the Act is also investing in the implementation of the Act and developing capacity with the local government sector to implement the changes. We encourage continued support of the government to joint initiatives such as the Quality Planning website and the Making Good Decisions Programme. More resources are needed to support effective implementation of the new changes to the Act. 

We look forward to more discussions with Government on these changes and more substantial changes to come in phase 2 of the review. We will also be seeking the views of our members for a submission to the Select Committee,” said Mr Yule. 

ENDS

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