Nats' RMA policy includes new consent deadlines
Local bodies will have to process notified resource consents within six months under National Party policy released today.
Local bodies will have to process notified resource consents within six months under National Party policy released today.
Prime Minister John Key announced the resource management policy in Tauranga this morning.
It included a new six-month time limit on processing consents for medium-sized regional projects, such as new subdivisions, retail developments, infrastructure and industrial developments.
It was good news for business as it would mean these consents were processed more quickly, Mr Key said.
“Sensible management of our resources is critical to protecting our environment and building a stronger economy with more real jobs,” he said.
“We know that delays in processing resource consents are a huge frustration for businesses trying to expand, invest and create jobs.
“That’s why National is continuing its hard work to streamline and simplify the Resource Management Act.”
Environment Minister Nick Smith said the government's concern was not the final decisions delivered under the RMA but the time it took for a decision to be made.
“We can’t have bureaucratic processes holding up these sorts of developments when we have the building industry holding out for more work,” he said.
“Our next phase of reforms will also address problems identified from the Christchurch earthquakes over natural hazard management.
“It is unsatisfactory that new subdivisions were approved in Christchurch without any consideration of known liquefaction risks.
“A new requirement will be for councils to consider natural hazard risks like earthquakes.”
Dr Smith said that a second Resource Management Amendment Bill, containing National’s latest proposals for reform, would be introduced to Parliament in 2012 if National is re-elected on November 26.
Colin Williscroft
Wed, 02 Nov 2011
Wed, 02 Nov 2011
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Nats' RMA policy includes new consent deadlines
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