News & Resources
Environment & Resource Management
The Resource Management Amendment Act 2020
The RMAA came into force on 1 July 2020 and introduces some significant changes, particularly for the freshwater planning process.
New Zealand’s changing resource management landscape
2020 has seen significant changes for the resource management framework in New Zealand, with more substantial changes on the horizon.
COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-Track Consenting) Bill
The COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-Track Consenting) Bill aims to bypass the Resource Management Act 1991 in order to speed up the consenting process for projects.
Resource Management Amendment Bill
The Bill would amend the Resource Management Act 1991 and the Resource Legislation Amendment Act 2017 - its purpose to reduce complexity, increase certainty, and reinstate public participation opportunities.
Reimagining the resource management system: issues and options
The Ministry for the Environment has released the Resource Management Review Panel’s issues and options paper.
The Panel seeks comments on the paper and proposes 44 specific questions to answer. It welcomes submissions until Monday 3 February 2020.
https://www.mfe.govt.nz/sites/default/files/media/RMA/comprehensive-review-of-the-resource-management-system-opportunities-for-change-issues-and-options-paper.pdf
Untangling the Net: Marine Spatial Planning under the RMA
Dewhirst update: the bed of a river begins with its banks, not its fullest flow
The Court of Appeal has dismissed the Canterbury Regional Council’s appeal of the High Court’s decision on how to find the “bed” of a river under the Resource Management Act 1991.
Action for Healthy Waterways: Proposed National Environmental Standards for 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 healthy state.
The official closing date for submissions is Thursday 17 October 2019 at 5pm. However, submissions will be accepted for a further two weeks beyond that date, until 31 October 2019.
Take Four: Draft NPS for Freshwater Management
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.
The official closing date for submissions is Thursday 17 October 2019 at 5pm. However, submissions will be accepted for a further two weeks beyond that date, until 31 October 2019.
Stock to be excluded from NZ waterways
The Ministry for the Environment have released proposed regulations to exclude stock from waterways.
The official closing date for submissions is Thursday 17 October 2019 at 5pm. However, submissions will be accepted for a further two weeks beyond that date, until 31 October 2019.
National Policy Statement on Urban Development
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.
Comprehensive overhaul of Resource Management Act underway
The Government launched yesterday its overhaul of the Resource Management Act 1991 which, as described by Hon David Parker, “takes too long, costs too much and has not protected the environment”.