Resource Management Act Announcements On Right Track

Today’s Resource Management Act (RMA) changes announced by Ministers Bishop, McClay and Watts, are a significant step forward in making the building and connection of networks and critical infrastructure much easier, says the Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA).

"Creating firm national direction through National Policy Statements and National Environmental Standards, which consenting councils then have to follow, simplifies the process for construction, maintenance and renewal of electricity and telecommunications networks," says EMA Head of Advocacy, Alan McDonald.

"In addition, making the consenting of new quarries and expansion of existing sources of aggregate easier is also critical to any plans to build new infrastructure. From building a simple family home to multi-billion dollar construction projects, you’ve got to have aggregate.

"The existing rules are far too restrictive and difficult to navigate."

The steps announced today are part of the government's RMA 2 changes, and are now going out for consultation. They will also feature in the RMA 3 legislation expected to be passed next year. While quite technical, the changes go a long way to easing consenting in those sectors, without easing environmental protections.

"Councils have to give effect to these national directives, and that will effectively end the multiple differing interpretations and standards that councils, often within the same region, apply to current RMA legislation," says McDonald.

"Many of our members have to navigate different rules from different councils just to do the same thing."

Proposed changes to freshwater regulations were also announced, while housing policy changes are also on the way.

"I’m sure our farmers will welcome many of those changes, as will the quarrying industry which has run afoul of very strict changes to wetland definitions that effectively stopped quarrying on some existing sites," says McDonald.

"We’re aware of instances in the Auckland region where water running out of native bush areas, in theory, has to be cleaner when it leaves the farm than when it entered the property."

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