Media Statement
3 February 2009

The New Zealand Council for infrastructure Development says proposed changes to the RMA are a good first step in streamlining legislative barriers to infrastructure investment, but represent only one of a number of reforms that are needed.

"The proposed amendments will enable more timely decisions to be taken on projects of national and regional significance, without compromising the rights of those directly affected by projects to have their say", according to NZCID Chief Executive Stephen Selwood.

"But it's not just the RMA that is at issue. New Zealand has a plethora of laws and regulations in addition to the RMA that often must be traversed Among others, these include: the Historic Places Act 1989; the Reserves Act 1981; the Local Government Act 2002; the Public Works Act 1981; the Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004; the Reserves and Other Land Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Act 1915; the Land Transport Management Act 2003. All can and do provide a minefield of opportunities for those who oppose a project to hold up progress through the courts.

"Development of a single consenting process, incorporating one dominant set of provisions governing strategic infrastructure, would be a logical next step to streamline the consent process, remove duplicity, and provide transparency for all parties.

"NZCID recommends that simplification of the regulatory and legislative quagmire needs to be a priority for the Minister for Regulatory Reform Rodney Hide, the new Environmental Protection Agency and the new infrastructure unit advising the Minister for Infrastructure".

ENDS

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