“This Bill will reduce the regulatory burden on resource consent applicants and support development in key sectors, including farming, mining and other primary industries,” the RMA Reform Minister said.
He said such sectors were “critical” to rebuilding New Zealand’s economy.
Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) welcomed the certainty Tuesday’s announcement provided for councils.
President Sam Broughton noted it would’ve “been a waste of time and resources for councils to implement requirements we know will be repealed later”.
“More substantial RMA reform is desperately required and LGNZ will continue to work with the Government on this,” Broughton said.
RMA Bill 1 was expected to be introduced to Parliament next month and passed into law later this year.
While Federated Farmers praised the Bill as the Government ending the “war on farming”, the Opposition said the changes would be a “disaster for the environment”.
“These changes are being pushed through fast to avoid public scrutiny. They will water down rules that prevent our rivers from being polluted and our native species being protected,” Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said.
“This comes at the same time the Government is pushing through the Fast Track Approvals Bill, which will give projects such as coal mines a ‘get out of jail free card’ to wreak havoc on the environment and take us further from our net zero by 2050 goal.
“Which one will the Government push through first? The one that will open the door to lobbyists and foreign mining companies? Or the one that will see our rivers more polluted?”