Resource Management Policy Earns Big Tick

October 1st, 2001

The Employers & Manufacturers Association (Northern) has welcomed the overhaul of the 10 year old Resource Management Act announced by the National Party today.

Business is appalled at the extent the RMA and its implementation are responsible for hindering sustainable growth, said Alasdair Thompson, EMA's chief executive.

"National's proposals released today will find an responsive ear in the business community," Mr Thompson said.

"New Zealand cannot start to rebuild a place back in the top half of the OECD rankings without an overhaul of how the RMA is being used.

"The backlog average of over two years before applicants can expect to obtain an Environment Court hearing is just the tip of the iceberg.

"The Government is well aware of business concerns. Commerce Minister Paul Swain noted them on releasing the findings of his Compliance Costs Panel. By far the most compliance cost complaints concerned the RMA.

"Deputy Prime Minister Jim Anderton must also acknowledge the problem as he had to intervene personally to ensure Sovereign Yachts consents were available in time for the company to commence work.

"The cost of about 80 city and district council plans are far higher than was ever anticipated at several hundred million dollars, and still many are not yet in place, which adds to uncertainty.

"NIMBY's and vexatious litigants who file appeals only to withdraw them when a case finally makes it to court is the type of action that is extremely costly to business confidence and jobs.

"Sustainable development and genuine concern for our environment are being compromised by faults in the RMA procedures."

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