Govt Introduces Resource Management Bill to reduce regulatory burdens on key sectors

Agriculture Minister Todd McClay emphasized the importance of improving profitability in the primary sector to maintain international competitiveness and support the economy.

The New Zealand coalition Government has introduced the Resource Management (Freshwater and Other Matters) Amendment Bill, aimed at reducing regulatory burdens on key sectors such as farming, mining, and other primary industries. The proposed legislation, spearheaded by RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop, seeks to streamline the current Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) processes and provide certainty to councils and consent applicants while new, comprehensive legislation is being developed.

Key points of the bill include:

Excluding Certain Obligations: The hierarchy of obligations in the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS-FM) will be excluded from resource consenting to address concerns about its application.

Repealing Regulations: The bill repeals the low slope map and associated stock exclusion requirements, as well as the intensive winter grazing regulations from the National Environmental Standards for Freshwater (NES-F).

Aligning Mining Provisions: It aligns coal mining regulations with those for other mineral extraction activities under various national policy statements.

Suspending SNA Requirements: Requirements for councils to identify new Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) will be suspended for three years, with extended implementation timeframes.

Simplifying Processes: The bill will speed up and simplify the process for preparing and amending national direction, including national environmental standards and policy statements.

Agriculture Minister Todd McClay emphasized the importance of improving profitability in the primary sector to maintain international competitiveness and support the economy. Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard highlighted efforts to improve the Freshwater Farm Planning system, making it more cost-effective and integrated with industry and community plans.

This bill marks the second phase of the Government's three-phase plan to reform the resource management system. Phase one involved the repeal of the Natural and Built Environment Act and Spatial Planning Act in December. Phase three will see the replacement of the RMA with new legislation focusing on property rights and environmental outcomes.

The amendment bill will proceed to the Primary Production Select Committee for further consideration following its first reading.