The second phase of the government's Resource Management Act reforms have been unveiled by Minister for the Environment Nick Smith in Auckland.The changes involve greater direction from the central government in areas covered by the wide-ranging legislati
The second phase of the government’s Resource Management Act reforms have been unveiled by Minister for the Environment Nick Smith in Auckland.
The changes involve greater direction from the central government in areas covered by the wide-ranging legislation.
The discussion document notes that despite central government’s spending in the Auckland region’s - $17.2 billion compared to $2.7 billion by local councils, with more than 40% of the total capital investment by central government being in Auckland – decisions on the region’s infrastructure are very much left to the local councils.
“Despite the level of its investment, traditionally central government has not been explicit about what it wants to achieve across its portfolios (eg, housing, transport, education, economic development, environment etc) for New Zealand’s cities, towns and rural areas,” says the discussion document released by Dr Smith.
“The Government is considering mechanisms that will provide for more effective and co-ordinated engagement in planning and delivery where appropriate.”
Problems identified include:
• Lack of clarity and consistently of national objectives and standards, especially when, as is frequent, infrastructure projects cross regional and local boundaries;
• different rules about “designations” under the act for different types of infrastructure (eg a public school is eligible but a private school is not);
• Complex, costly and inflexible approval processes (the long running disputes over Transpower’s North Island grid upgrade is specifically mentioned
• Lack of robust and integrated decision-making “not always perceived as fair.”
• Inefficient and inadequate land acquisition process and “outdated and inadequate” compensation processes.
The changes propose to broaden definitions within the RMA to include “urban environment” as a way of structuring decisions which would improve living conditions in cities; greater recognition of “special planning”; and provision for much more direction from central government using national policy statements.
In announcing the new proposals, Dr Smith said the government had deliberately waited until after the local body elections held last Saturday.
"The Government has deliberately timed the release of these proposals after the local body elections to give the newly elected councils, particularly Auckland, the chance to have direct input into the new framework.
“Developing a new spatial plan for Auckland is one of the biggest challenges for the new Council and the Government wants to work with Auckland to get it right."
Submissions on the document close on 17 December.
