Call for National to Join ACT in Rejecting RMA

Wednesday 25th Apr 2001 Gerry Eckhoff Media Release -- Environment

MP Gerry Eckhoff today called on the National Party to join ACT New Zealand in committing itself to ending the costly, bureaucratic nightmares caused by the Resource Management Act.

“The RMA cannot be tinkered with, or just tweaked,” the ACT New Zealand Conservation Spokesman said.

“We need a fundamental rethink.

“With Labour and Alliance committed to backward, preservationist dogma, ACT New Zealand and National have an obligation to clean up the mess.

“We must do everything we can to dump the RMA and replace it with something which works.

“As it is, the Resource Management Act is a major impediment to growth. Local and overseas investors ask why they should bother subjecting themselves to such an expensive, torturous process.

“The Act has driven the rural and urban sectors apart, with little or no positive environmental outcomes. A prime example is the fact that DoC is appealing 56 out of 58 District Plans, at unbelievable cost to tax-payers.

“Pollution in urban and rural New Zealand continues unabated, while those with a preservationist attitude use their bureaucratic powers to deny sustainable development of our resources.

“After a decade, we have had enough time to observe the problems of the RMA. Now, we must find the solutions.

“ACT New Zealand is unequivocal in its intention to bring real meaning to the concept of sustaining the environment while allowing for prudent development. We must learn the lesson that economic success delivers first-rate environmental outcomes.

“ACT New Zealand recognises that we need both a great environment and an attractive investment environment.

“Politicians are responsible for the mess, so politicians must clean it up,” Gerry Eckhoff said.

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

© Scoop Media

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