Top of the south transmission problem a 'beat up'

Nelson MP Nick Smith's claims that the RMA would delay the development of an electricity transmission upgrade at the top of the South Island are a 'beat up' Forest and Bird's Conservation Manager Kevin Hackwell said today.

"This is just the latest in a series of beat-ups about the RMA by its detractors. There's a process under the RMA to 'call in' resource consent applications that deals with this kind of situation. The most useful thing a Nelson MP could do is encourage the Government to use its call in powers," he said.

"The Government's 'call in' powers have only ever been invoked twice - for the Waitaki River and the Stratford power station. The upgrade of electricity transmission lines in the upper South island would be a prime candidate for the use of this existing Government power," he said.

"The public appears to be subject to a persistent campaign of misinformation aimed at inserting National Development Act type processes into the Resource Management Act. Is Nick Smith proposing a return to the days of Muldoon?" he asked.