$4M extra for EPA to administer new resources regime

$4M extra for EPA to administer new offshore resources regime

By Pattrick Smellie

May 21 (BusinessDesk) - The Environmental Protection Authority’s plea for additional funding to support administration of the new regime governing the Exclusive Economic Zone, with a $4 million boost to funding.

The EPA had been struggling to meet the unexpectedly high costs of the new regime, which for the first time sets up a regulatory framework for exploiting resources in New Zealand’s vast oceanic area, the fourth largest in the world.

The announcement was part of a four year $41.2 million package of measures to assist compliance with the government’s new freshwater management regime and Resource Management Act reforms.

Environment Minister Nick Smith appeared to give guidance on the likely shape of RMA reforms, which he said would “involve stronger national direction and greater use of National Policy Standards and National Environmental Standards.”

The government has lost the one seat majority it gained at the September election, which would have allowed more substantive reforms to the RMA. Some $20.4 million over four years would go to this purpose.

Some $16.8 million over four years for freshwater management would enable progress on the management of lakes, rivers and aquifers, with major decisions required on policy for coastal lagoons, Maori rights and interests, and collaborative approaches to managing freshwater at a local government level.

(BusinessDesk)

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