RMA Replacement Legislation Reported back from Select committee

On 20 July, the select committee reported back on the Natural Environment Bill and the Planning Bill, that are set to replace the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA). The committee received 3,204 submissions and heard presentations from 178 submitters.

Whilst key features of the new system have been retained, the select committee recommended some improvements (that the government supports) that will refine and clarify some aspects of the bills.

After feedback from a range of submitters, the timeframe to implement the transition period from the RMA to the two new statutes has been extended from 30 months to 39 months.

The Labour Party has indicated that if it forms a government in November, it will not repeal this new legislation. The party does, however, state that it has some serious misgivings about some aspects, particularly the regulatory relief provisions.

In the meantime, there is some hard work to be done to incorporate the committee’s recommendations and present the bills again to Parliament for a second reading – all before the House rises in September for the 7 November election.

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