'Permissive' Environment Protection Authority starts work
Greens say with the likes of Fulton Hogan on its board, the new watchdog is too development-friendly. | EPA will also manage emissions trading scheme.
The new, standalone Environment Protection Authority (EPA) starts work today. The new agency's board includes representatives from mainstream New Zealand business, dampening fears of do-gooder interference, but riling the Greens.
Environment Minister Nick Smith said today it would deliver stronger and better co-ordinated central government leadership on environmental regulation.
"It is better to have one national regulator of environmental issues than having the same issues relitigated across 78 councils," Dr Smith said at the official launch of the EPA at a function in parliament.
From next year it will also manage the Emissions Trading Scheme and consents in the offshore exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.
Former Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast is chairman of the new authority.
Also on the board are former Fulton Hogan managing director David Faulkner, former Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu chief executive Anake Goodall, retiring Meridian Energy chief executive Tim Lusk, inaugural Electricity Commission board member Graham Pinnell, Learning Media and Maori Broadcasting Agency board member Taria Tahana, Environmental Risk Management Authority (Erma) chairman Richard Woods, and Cawthron Institute chief executive Gillian Wratt.
The Green Party said the board was "light on environmental champions and heavy on development and infrastructure representatives".
Resource management spokesman David Clendon said none of its members represented the "hundreds of thousands" of New Zealanders who cared about the environment.
"They do represent business interests such as roading companies and phone companies," he said.
"Unfortunately, it all points to a very permissive Environmental Protection Authority rather than one that wants to establish strong environmental standards."
NZPA and NBR staff
Fri, 01 Jul 2011
Fri, 01 Jul 2011
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'Permissive' Environment Protection Authority starts work
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