RMA changes welcomed

The new Government’s long-awaited revamp of the Resource Management Act has been welcomed by Northland Regional Council Chairman Mark Farnsworth.

Cabinet yesterday (subs: Tues 3 Feb) announced a number of changes the Government hopes will cut the time – and cost – involved to obtain the thousands of environmental permits New Zealanders apply for annually.

Mr Farnsworth says he welcomes the proposed changes.

“The Government is clearly signalling its intent to return to the enabling spirit that was originally envisaged to underpin the Act.”

“The proposed changes will make a difference and as a Council we look forward to making submissions to the Select Committee about them.”

However, Mr Farnsworth says he has a minor concern about the intended tenfold increase in the cost of filing an appeal to the Environment Court.

“This fee needed to be increased, but I’m not sure whether it needs to be by that degree.”

Mr Farnsworth says careful consideration will have to be given to this and other issues to ensure they do not adversely affect people who legitimately wish to take part in an appeal process, particularly retired people and those on low incomes.

But despite some of the challenges a revamped RMA could pose Mr Farnsworth says he is confident the NRC is up to the task, noting it processed 980 new consent applications last financial year, 98.05 percent of them within statutory timeframes.

“One of the criticisms levelled against many Councils is the amount of time it takes to obtain consents from them and that far too many consents are just not processed within allowable timeframes.”

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“While often there are good reasons for this, in many instances, I believe this criticism is justified and there will be some real challenges to Councils nationally to have efficient processes around consents.”

“However, I don’t anticipate it will be a problem for our Council as it will further enhance the good work we already do in processing consents.”