The COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-Track Consenting) Bill was introduced on 16 June 2020 in the Government’s attempt to mitigate the effects of COVID-19. The Bill aims to bypass the Resource Management Act 1991 in order to speed up the consenting process for projects. Parliament’s last sitting day is 6 August in preparation for the 19 September …
Although a Bill is yet to be introduced, the 12 May 2020 Cabinet paper released on the proposed COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Bill throws more light on what the fast-track consenting process will look like. Central and local government projects look to be the major beneficiary of the proposal, with other projects needing to be …
Resource Management Amendment Bill – Environment Committee Report The Resource Management Amendment Bill was introduced to the House of Representatives on 23 September 2019, and the period for lodging written submissions closed on 7 November 2019. Following the presentation of oral submissions, the Environment Committee has now provided its final report to the House and …
The Ministry for the Environment has released the Resource Management Review Panel’s issues and options paper entitled “Transforming the resource management system: Opportunities for Change”. The Panel has been tasked with undertaking a comprehensive review of the Resource Management system and other associated legislation. The Resource Management Act 1991 was a revolutionary planning document integrating …
Reimagining the resource management system: issues and options Read More »
Protected areas around Motiti Island as set out in the Environment Court’s interim decision, Motiti Rohe Moana Trust v Bay of Plenty Regional Council [2018] NZEnvC 067 On 4 November 2019 the Court of Appeal concluded in a controversial decision that regional councils can use the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) to control fishing in …
Untangling the Net: Marine Spatial Planning under the RMA Read More »
The Court of Appeal has dismissed the Canterbury Regional Council’s (the Council) appeal of the High Court’s decision on how to find the “bed” of a river under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA). The litigation arose because of the prosecution of Dewhirst and Dewhirst Land Company Ltd for works undertaken in the Selwyn River …
Dewhirst update: the bed of a river begins with its banks, not its fullest flow Read More »
Photo from: Ministry for the Environment. 2019. Action for healthy waterways – A discussion document on national direction for our essential freshwater. On 5 September 2019 the Government released the long-awaited package of freshwater reforms. The Action for Healthy Waterways package seeks to stop the degradation of New Zealand waterways and restore them to a …
Action for Healthy Waterways: Proposed National Environmental Standards for Freshwater Read More »
Photo from: Ministry for the Environment. 2019. Action for healthy waterways – A discussion document on national direction for our essential freshwater. The Government released its proposals for freshwater management reform on 5 September 2019, including a consultation draft of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (“Consultation Draft”) which, once finalised, will represent the …
Photo from : Ministry for the Environment. 2019. Action for healthy waterways – A discussion document on national direction for our essential freshwater. The Ministry for the Environment have released proposed regulations to exclude stock from waterways. The proposed Regulations are part of a wider programme that MfE is implementing to create healthier waterways, and …
National Policy Statement on Urban Development: one of four public consultations opened this month The month of August has seen a flurry of activity coming from the Ministry for the Environment, with its proposed National Policy Statement (NPS) on Urban Development being released hot on the heels of the proposed NPS for Highly Productive Land. …
