RMA ‘Six Pack’ Fix Released

A six pack of solutions to fix the Resource Management Act are spelled out in a new publication produced by Federated Farmers of New Zealand.

“’Let’s Make It Work: Why The Resource Management Act Must Change’ is a vital resource for those in local and central government who are serious about finding ways to fix a seriously-flawed Act,” said Bruce McNab, the Federation’s environment spokesman.

Federated Farmers launches the booklet at its National Council meeting in Wellington tonight. (20 November 2007)

“The booklet will encourage more debate on the six major problems with the RMA in the context of farming, but its not just farmers who have problems with the RMA. We are aware of many other parts of the community who are also keen to help repair our most important piece of environmental legislation,” Mr McNab said.

The 20-page easy-to-read booklet will be sent to all MPs, mayors, key government officials, and the media, along with a pair of ‘RMA socks’.

“We are comparing the 16-year-old RMA to an old pair of socks: worn out and threadbare, with a few patches here and there. We are sending MPs and others a new pair of RMA work socks - to get the RMA working again.

The Federation plans to sell the socks next year to supporters of the RMA campaign, with a third of the proceeds going to the Farmers’ Fighting Fund, which helps farmers fund important legal battles involving the RMA.

“Each pair of socks is covered by a wrapper printed with the Federation’s ‘six pack’ of solutions to fixing the RMA,” Mr McNab said.

The six pack comprises:



Compensate landowners when protecting nationally important values.



Mandate consultation with affected landowners.



Refine DoC’s advocacy role.



Streamline resource consents and the plan process.



Enable long-term economic viability.



Acknowledge the changing nature of landscapes.