New Zealand Gov’t Planning To Amend Resource Management Act For Equitable Development

New Zealand’s ruling National Party will ago ahead with the plans to make necessary changes in the controversial Resource Management Act to make it work better for the country. This is in the light of sky rocketing housing prices in many places.

Environment Minister Nick Smith stated on Wednesday that National is ready to review the "contentious parts of the Act" in its proposed reforms. Speaking at a private function at his hometown Nelson, the minister said the government wanted to build "a broader base of support" for the changes to the RMA with due protection to the environment, reported Stuff.co.Nz.

Smith told the Nelson Rotary Club that a series of material changes to the Act was crucial. He said there is a requirement to add clauses to cover the management of natural hazards. In that connection, he referred to the Bexley subdivision in Christchurch, which did not consider the impact of liquefaction despite the risk being clearly defined.

Reforms Imperative

The minister said the new reforms will give an explicit recognition to the urban environment. This is essential as the report appeared to be designed "for a Garden of Eden" before cities were built. There is a pressing need to facilitate affordable housing as the current rules are supporting more expensive developments.

Other changes will include persuading the councils to adopt templates in developing planning rules. Smith noted the paradox that New Zealand has "50 different definitions" on calculating building heights.

Economic Aspects

In the speech, Smith said he was "of the view that economic growth, jobs and exports need more recognition" in the legislation. National hopes it can muster enough support to pass the legislation with ACT's sole MP David Seymour having openly calling for the review of RMA because of its strong anti-development bias. National has 60 MPs and it hopes that the backing of Seymour will give it the required majority in the House. National's other two allies, United Future and the Maori Party, are opposed to any changes on the ground that it would undermine the environment.

Smith said the main changes on RMA will be at the purposes and principles in section 6 and 7 of the Act. They are most "essential." But the amendments are still being worked out. The minister said economic growth, urban development and management of natural hazards will assume high priority in those crucial sections. As of now, the relevant clauses are providing more protection to coastlines, landscapes, heritage, lakes and rivers, reported New Zealand Herald.

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