RMA submission highlights importance of local knowledge

Our Strategy and Policy Committee has approved the Council’s submission on the Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Bill.

The Bill would amend existing provisions in the Resource Management Act (RMA) relating to infrastructure and energy, housing growth, farming and the primary sector, natural hazards and emergencies, and system improvements. In essence, it would fundamentally change how resources are managed in New Zealand - impacting our planning and the way we interact with district and city councils.

After a robust discussion, the Committee agreed to support a final submission following a few specific amendments to the draft.

The full submission will be available on our website early next week.

The submission covers many areas and is too detailed to summarise. However, the following outlines some of the key points.

RMA submission key points

Support for changes:

• that enable local decision-making
• that increase the transparency and efficiency of the consenting process and reduce cost for resource users
• that strengthen tools for consenting, compliance and enforcement
• that enable adaptive management of discharges where significant adverse effects on aquatic life already exist, provided there will be a reduction in effects over time
• to enable consent reviews where current resource consent conditions do not align with the outcomes sought through operative resource management plans.

Opposition to changes that: 

• reduce opportunities for iwi/hapū participation in resource management processes
• give the Minister the power to direct a council to change its plans to address non-compliance with a National Policy Statement
• restrict the types of controls and rules a regional council may use to manage the impacts of fishing activities on marine biodiversity
• direct how and when councils should hold a hearing for a consent application.

Chair Craig Pauling welcomes the opportunity to submit on the proposed RMA reforms.

"A key takeaway from our submission is the importance of local and regional knowledge in decision-making," he said.

"Therefore, it is important to share our views and expertise with Government to help ensure any changes in resource management get the right outcomes for Waitaha/Canterbury.

"Using local expertise and regional relationships often leads to better outcomes for ratepayers. It’s important to preserve this."