Friday, 14 December 2001, 2:24 pm Press Release: ACT New Zealand
The Resource Management Act (RMA) is responsible for serious
delays to the eradication of the Painted Apple Moth, ACT
Conservation Spokesman MP Gerry Eckhoff said today.
"Clearly the Government is highly embarrassed at the spread
that has taken place while the bureaucracy tried to
figure out how to get around the RMA.
"This serious
pest has the potential to decimate not just the Waitakere
ranges, but much of the North Island's forests.
"The
moth has spread over a much wider area, purely because
spraying programmes cannot be enacted due to the RMA and
district plans which prohibit low-level flying.
"The
Minister, at long last, now plans to exempt the eradication
programme from the RMA.
"Delays and cost over-runs are
commonplace with the RMA. It does appear the bureaucrats
are finally learning just how useless the RMA is when
timely responses are essential.
"It appears there are
two RMA's - one for the bureaucrats, and one for private
individuals who receive no assistance by way of Ministerial
intervention when they need help.
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