RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop said many councils are still legally required to review their district and regional plans every ten years, even though the RMA will soon be scrapped.
“Much of this work won’t be completed before the new system comes in, and even if it is, it would need to be changed again to comply with the new laws,” Bishop said.
He said continuing under the current rules is a waste of council officers’ time and ratepayers’ money.
The Government will suspend several requirements under the RMA, including the need for councils to:
However, some plan changes will be automatically exempt. These include:
Minister Bishop said the Government’s wider reform of the planning system is progressing. Two new laws will be introduced later this year to fully replace the RMA: one focused on land use and the other on the natural environment.
“These changes are about preparing for the new system. We want councils to focus their efforts on the future, not waste energy on plans that are about to become irrelevant,” Bishop said.
He also made it clear the decision will not stop progress on housing, urban development or infrastructure.
“There will still be pathways for councils to do the work needed to unlock housing growth and support the Government’s priorities.”
The changes will be made through an amendment to the Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Bill, which is expected to become law next month.
Broadcaster Chris Lynch is an award winning journalist who also produces Christchurch news and video content for domestic and international companies. This article was originally published by Chris Lynch Media and is published here with kind permission.
“Much of this work won’t be completed before the new system comes in, and even if it is, it would need to be changed again to comply with the new laws,” Bishop said.
He said continuing under the current rules is a waste of council officers’ time and ratepayers’ money.
The Government will suspend several requirements under the RMA, including the need for councils to:
- Review plans and policy statements every ten years
- Implement national planning standards
- Notify new freshwater planning instruments
However, some plan changes will be automatically exempt. These include:
- Private plan changes initiated by landowners or developers
- Streamlined planning processes
- Plan changes involving natural hazard management
- Changes required as part of Treaty settlement agreements
Minister Bishop said the Government’s wider reform of the planning system is progressing. Two new laws will be introduced later this year to fully replace the RMA: one focused on land use and the other on the natural environment.
“These changes are about preparing for the new system. We want councils to focus their efforts on the future, not waste energy on plans that are about to become irrelevant,” Bishop said.
He also made it clear the decision will not stop progress on housing, urban development or infrastructure.
“There will still be pathways for councils to do the work needed to unlock housing growth and support the Government’s priorities.”
The changes will be made through an amendment to the Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Bill, which is expected to become law next month.
Broadcaster Chris Lynch is an award winning journalist who also produces Christchurch news and video content for domestic and international companies. This article was originally published by Chris Lynch Media and is published here with kind permission.
1 comment:
Great common sense changes.
It's disgusting the working class wealth destroying local council system was created, then allowed to continue so long.
The Luxon government is showing a fearless and relentless resolve to take on vested wealthy NZ interests.
This brave, long overdue reform is vital to provide a fairer, more prosperous future for ordinary Kiwis, but it creates powerful enemies.
Expect more attacks from NZs despicable low iq media and pens for hire.
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