Summary: The Resource Management (Freshwater and Other Matters) Amendment Bill was released on 23 May 2024 and proposes urgent targeted changes to the resource management system. The Bill aims to reduce the regulatory burden on key sectors including farming, mining and other primary industries.
Status: The Bill has been introduced to Parliament and will be sent to the Primary Production Select Committee for consideration after its first reading.
Key Changes proposed:
- Exclude the hierarchy of obligations in the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management (NPS-FM) from resource consenting. It is intended that this will address concerns raised about the way it is being applied while a review and replacement of the NPS-FM is undertaken.
- Repeal the contentious low slope map and associated requirements from stock exclusion regulations, is intended to reduce costs for farmers.
- Repeal the permitted and restricted discretionary activity regulations and associated conditions for intensive winter grazing from the National Environmental Standards for Freshwater (NES-F).
- Align the provisions for coal mining with other mineral extraction activities under the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity (NPS-IB), NPS-FM and NES-F.
- Suspend for three years requirements under the NPS-IB for councils to identify new Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) and include them in district plans. The Bill also extends some SNA implementation timeframes to 31 December 2030.
- Speed up and simplify the process for preparing and amending national direction, including the NZCPS, NPSs, NESs and national planning standards. This is intended to enable the Minister to amend existing national direction without using the standard process if the amendment is for specified purposes, including implementing an international obligation, giving effect to an emissions reduction plan or national adaptation plan, changing timeframes, or making minor amendments.
Comments:
- Consent applicants benefit from this bill with an easier pathway for freshwater consent and coal mining.
- Councils have reduced regulatory powers and requirements for SNAs.
- Freshwater and SNAs will in have less protection.
- The simplified processed for amending national direction will making amendments more efficient. The increased flexibility for evaluation reports provides some uncertainty about the quality of assessments.
Next steps: If passed, the Bill would become law by the end of the year.
Read the Full Text: Resource Management (Freshwater and Other Matters) Amendment Bill (opens in new window) [New Zealand Legislation website]
Want to Make a Submission: Contact mark@perspective.net.nz to discuss making a submission.
