More Government legislation updates October 2024
The Advisory Group was appointed to make recommendations to Ministers on projects to include in Schedule 2 of the Fast-Track Approvals Bill. Once passed into law, projects in Schedule 2 are automatically accepted into the fast-track process and referred to an expert panel for a final decision.
On receipt of the report, Cabinet made the decision to refine the project list from 342 to 149 projects. During the process, it became clear that so many projects were suitable for Schedule 2A that having a separate list for Schedule 2B became unnecessary, so it will be deleted from the Bill and a Schedule 2 will list the 149 projects. [Including the Tukituki Water Security Project, Formerly known as the Ruataniwha Water Storage Scheme, the project seeks to dam the Makaroro River which did not get through the RMA process. Tukituki Rivermouth pictured]
The second and third readings are expected to commence shortly, with the Bill anticipated to be passed into law before the end of the year.
https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/whats-the-point-of-the-fast-track-bill/ for Environmental Defence Society comments plus links to other media releases on the Fast Track BIll
Resource Management (Freshwater and Other Matters) Amendment Bill
The Primary Production Committee has reported back to Parliament on the Resource Management (Freshwater and Other Matters) Amendment Bill. The Committee recommended the Bill be passed and at the time of writing the Bill was at the Committee of the Whole House.
Freshwater farm plan rollout to be paused
The Government has confirmed that the rollout of freshwater farm plans will be paused while changes to the system are made. An amendment paper to the Resource Management (Freshwater and Other Matters) Amendment Bill to pause the rollout of freshwater farm plans in the regions where freshwater farm plan regulations have taken effect will be tabled. The change would come into effect on the passing of the Bill, which is expected before the end of the year.
The first freshwater farm plans were going to be due in February 2025, in Southland and Waikato. The Government is working with Environment Southland and Waikato Regional Council to ensure farmers in these areas who are subject to regional farm planning requirements do not have to double up on any of their compliance requirements.
Resource Management Reform: Cabinet Paper Released (From the Environmental Defense Society Website)
24 October 2024
This week the Government proactively released its Cabinet Paper on replacing the Resource Management Act 1991, providing further detail about what the new system might look like.
“The Paper reveals some interesting teasers about what’s to come for the environment, some of which give a us a glimmer of hope,” says EDS CEO Gary Taylor.
“Cabinet has confirmed that replacement law should make it easier to get things done while also safeguarding the environment. This ‘double bottom line’ concept is set to deliver development “within environmental limits” to be set by Regional Councils for “air, water, soils, biodiversity and the coastal environment.”
“Cabinet has agreed that the resource management system should “protect the natural environment”. That is reassuring.
“There is a lot of detail to unpack, but the starting position offers plenty of opportunity to do good things. Cabinet has agreed that place-based tools should be used to protect Significant Natural Areas, Outstanding Natural Landscapes and Natural Features.
“Long-term spatial planning (out to 50 years) is on the table, which will help overcome our infrastructure deficit and housing shortage. Constraints mapping is also part of the picture, with Cabinet referencing natural hazards and public open spaces as potential no-go areas for development.
“A lot of the detail is about fixing longstanding procedural issues with the existing system and can build upon solutions from the repealed Natural and Built Environment and Spatial Planning Acts. Cabinet appears to be taking a pragmatic view in that regard, which we support.
“The Paper raises some concerns and questions that need to be answered, such as what the scope of the new law should be, how environmental limits should be set, how integration will be achieved, and how cumulative effects will be addressed in a more permissive regime.
“EDS’s primary objective is to ensure that our natural world is properly protected in the new system and we will be looking for ways to achieve that. Our research team, led by Dr Greg Severinsen, will be working hard with key stakeholders to make sure we get workable and enduring law out of this reform process, concluded Mr Taylor.
Gary Taylor 021 895 896 or gary@eds.org.nz
Read the Cabinet Paper here.