Hon Peter Dunne
MP for Ohariu
Leader of UnitedFuture
Minister of Revenue

Media Statement
For immediate release
Tuesday, 4 February 2009

Dunne welcomes RMA changes

UnitedFuture Leader and Revenue Minister Peter Dunne today welcomed the Government’s Phase One changes to simplify and streamline the Resource Management Act.

“While its purpose is important, the Act itself is cumbersome with often unfair burdens and processes as it stands. It was never intended to be obstacle after obstacle to actually getting things done, but that is what it has become.

“The package announced today will bring some important changes that will help get closer to balancing the environmental, economic and public access concerns that UnitedFuture has long championed,” Mr Dunne said.

He said the creation of an Environmental Protecting Agency, the beefing up of government guidance through enhanced National Environmental Standards and National Policy Statements, along with stiffer penalties for breaches of the Act would all go to making it work better.

“It’s a very important piece of legislation with an important purpose – it’s time that it was fixed in a lot of areas, including eliminating frivolous and vexatious objections,” he said.

Mr Dunne said UnitedFuture was committed to strengthening the RMA, and would be looking to work with National and other parties on further developing Phase Two of the reforms, particularly around the crucial area of fresh water management.

ENDS

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