NewsMajor changes likely for RMA - what shape will "unitary plans" take?

On Wednesday 21 December the Governor General delivered the Speech from the Throne that outlined the Government's priorities for the 50th session of Parliament. This speech included many of the issues that the National Party campaigned on. The RMA had been amended by the previous National led Government and will be subject to further review in this National led Government.

The Confidence and Supply Agreement between the ACT and National Parties notes that significant change is needed to the RMA. To "simplify" the planning process ACT and National have agreed to legislate to "ensure that there is only one plan (a "unitary" plan) for each district". This unitary plan approach was confirmed in the Speech from the Throne. In addition "new environmental reporting systems" will be introduced for water.

These changes could be major and, reading between the lines, result in the reorganisation of local government, particularly Regional Councils. At the least significant end of the spectrum a "unitary" plan could just be the merger of the Regional Plan into the relevant Territorial Plans. Such a "simplification" could still require consents being issued by both the Regional and Territorial councils; so not much of a change.

In the last Government there were major changes to local government structures in Auckland and the appointment of commissioners in Canterbury. This predilection for organisational change combined with an agreement to "significantly" change the RMA suggests something more than just combining existing Regional and Territorial Plans.

Hon Dr Nick Smith is now the Minister of both Local Government and the Environment and given that he is a man of action we expect to see some important proposals in the new year. Anderson Lloyd's Resource Management Team will be monitoring policy initiatives and be at the ready to pursue our clients' interests - we'll keep you posted.