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Wednesday, August 28, 2024

Andrew Hoggard: Scope of Significant Natural Areas review revealed


The Government has decided the scope of a review that will consider how significant natural areas (SNAs) should be identified, assessed and managed, Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard announced today.

In May, the Government introduced a Bill that proposes to suspend requirements for councils to identify new SNAs to provide time for a review of SNA provisions in the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity (NPS-IB).

Ministers have now decided the scope of this review which will look at: criteria for identifying SNAs; assessment and identification processes; and the management of land subject to SNAs.

Mr Hoggard says the Coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to cease the implementation of new SNAs and review their operation.

“We campaigned on the importance of individual property rights and we intend to deliver. In their current form, SNAs identified on private property limit new activities and development, and in my view, will likely undermine voluntary conservation efforts.

The review will examine what criteria and process set out in the NPSIB to identify SNAs.

“I want to make sure that the most unique environments are sensibly protected, without putting undue restrictions on land use change.

Mr Hoggard says he agreed the scope of the review in discussions with the Minister for the Environment, Minister of Conservation and Minister for Māori Crown Relations.

Officials will develop policy options and seek input from groups and individuals with in-depth technical knowledge, including ecologists, officials from local government, Māori and landowners.

Any changes to the NPS-IB will be progressed as part of the Government’s resource management reforms, which will include changes to national direction. The public would have an opportunity to provide feedback on these changes in the first quarter of 2025. Cabinet would make final decisions on national direction changes in mid-2025.

“We want to give certainty to councils and communities as soon as possible.” Mr Hoggard says.

Hon Andrew Hoggard is the Minister for Biosecurity and Food Safety and the Associate Minister of Agriculture (Animal Welfare, Skills) and for the Environment. This article was sourced HERE

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

SNA's on private land are an outrage. If the public want them, then the public should pay for them - end of. Having a council Johnny come lately, with no personal skin in the game, decide what can and cannot be developed on private land, beyond what otherwise was permitted under the former prevailing District Plan, is a step way too far. Those impacted should indeed have a say before it comes law.

Ray S said...

Anonymous @ 8:47
Plus compensation for any loss when a property owner is prevented from development normally within any existing legal framework.
Having a say does not cut it.

Anonymous said...

Does any other country have the equivalent of SNAs ?
Ir is this just another example of virtue signaling?
Oh we are so stupid to permit our elected representatives to abuse us.