Tuesday, 16 February 2021 08:55

Finally, the RMA is going

Written by  Peter Burke
Minister for the Environment David Parker. Minister for the Environment David Parker.

It seems like there are few tears being shed around the country about the news that the RMA is to be scrapped and replaced by three new separate Acts.

Instead of one, 800 page Act designed to achieve sustainable management, there will be three new Acts.

The Natural and Built Environments Act (NBA) to provide for land use and environmental regulation, is in effect is the primary replacement for the RMA. As well there will be the Strategic Planning Act (SPA) to integrate with other legislation relevant to development, and require long-term regional spatial strategies and the Climate Change Adaptation Act (CAA) to address complex issues associated with managed retreat and funding and financing adaptation. 

The broad consensus for many years has been that the RMA in its present form is not working and tinkering with it make it right simply doesn’t work. 

Environment Minister David Parker says urban areas are struggling to keep pace with population growth and the need for affordable housing, water quality is deteriorating, biodiversity is diminishing and there is an urgent need to reduce carbon emissions and adapt to climate change.

“The new laws will improve the natural environment, enable more development within environmental limits, provide an effective role for Māori, and improve housing supply and affordability. Planning processes will be simplified and costs and times reduced,” he says.

Other key changes include stronger national direction and one single combined plan per region. This some commentators suggest may spark a major and timely review of local government, given the role that local authorities play in the resource management space.

The 30 year-old RMA is one of the largest and most complex pieces of legislation on Parliament’s books and while it has been given the inevitable and popular death sentence, it will take time to unravel and pass the new laws and make them operational. In theory the government hopes to have the NBA and SPA in parliament and the NBA passed by the end of 2022, but many experts believe it will take several more years before the new legislation to become fully operative.

More like this

SNAs will go - eventually

Despite some earlier confusion around the exact timing, the new Government is moving to reform the way local bodies implement Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) rules on farmland.

Editorial: Rogue councils

OPINION: When the country elects a new government, we all know there will be policy changes as outlined on the hustings.

Editorial: Urgent action!

OPINION: When we finally get a government (no agreement had been finalised at time of writing), the first thing the new administration needs to review is all the regional and district plans that are being rolled out across the country to comply with the new National Policy Statement (NPS).

Parting shot?

OPINION: Environment Minister David Parker, likely in the final weeks of the job, remains hell-bent on burning bridges with farmers.

Forestry regulations updated

New national standards will give local councils more power to decide where new commercial forests – including carbon forests – are located, to reduce the impacts on communities and the environment, says Environment Minister David Parker.

Featured

Dairy sheep and goat turmoil

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Hurry up and slow down!

OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.

Editorial: Passage to India

OPINION: Even before the National-led coalition came into power, India was very much at the fore of its trade agenda.

National

Govt urged to reduce ETS units

The Climate Change Commission wants the new Government to reduce NZ Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction volumes as son as…

Dairy sheep, goat woes mount

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand…

Machinery & Products

All-terrain fert spreading mode

Effluent specialists the Samson Group have developed a new double unloading system to help optimise uphill and downhill organic fertiliser…

Can-Am showcases range

Based on industry data collected by the Motor Industry Association, Can-Am is the number one side-by-side manufacturer in New Zealand.

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Papal visit

OPINION: European farmers are going to extreme lengths to have their message heard.

Thai egg tarts

OPINION: The hustle and bustle of one of Bangkok's most popular fast food outlets may feel a world away from…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter