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Resource Management Amendment Act 2005. Review Process. Consultation before and after review announced May 2004 Minister led process with local government as partner Submissions before and after Bill drafted September 2004 Select committee process resulted in positive changes
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Review Process • Consultation before and after review announced May 2004 • Minister led process with local government as partner • Submissions before and after Bill drafted September 2004 • Select committee process resulted in positive changes • Reported back June, commenced 10 August
RMA Review • Getting better and faster decisions on resource consents • A means of working with councils when decisions are too big for local decision making • National leadership, especially national policy statements and national standards
Improving National Leadership • Nationally consistent standards (absolute standards) • Faster National Policy Statements with direct impact • Complements current work programme of developing NES and NPS
Non-local decision making Menu of options for Minister to intervene • Whole of government submission • Independent coordinator • Joint hearing • Appointing person to hearing panel • Call-in > board of inquiry • Call-in > Environment Court
Improving decision making - councils • Further information requests • Accreditation requirements • Extra powers at hearings (mediation, required attendance at pre-hearing, strike out) • Complements training programmes for decision makers and council officers
Improving decision making - Court • Environment Court practice has moved on • Improvements in hearing times • Court regulates own process • May still be ‘de novo’ hearing • But must have regard to council decision • Declarations on notification in future?
Improving local plan and policy making • 2 year timeframe for council process • Reduced content • Variations become plan changes • Plans must give effect to RPS, agreed consultation process between councils • New/clarified functions for contaminated land, allocation and infrastructure/land use
Improving consultation and iwi resource management • No requirement to consult on resource consent (may still be necessary for affected persons consent) • Consultation process for plans clarified • Council must keep record of iwi and hapu to consult on RM matters • Joint management agreements
Improving natural resource allocation • Regional council to allocate resources, including discharges • Existing consent holder has priority over new players • Existing investment and past performance taken into account • Transfer of discharge permits • Sustainable Water Programme of Action
Getting the message out • Information sheets • Update practice guidance on web • Meetings with stakeholders • Seminars with RMLA • Talk Environment Roadshow • Seminars with NZLS