Greater Wellington welcomes RMA reform, but concern for governance remains

Greater Wellington welcomes the streamlined planning system proposed by the Government to replace the Resource Management Act, but says key questions remain on Treaty obligations, governance and ensuring the system is set up to deliver on the outcomes it promises.

Greater Wellington chair Daran Ponter says the Government’s approach to reforming the Resource Management Act (RMA) is measured, and much better informed and considered compared to recent proposals on local government reform and rates capping.

“Today’s announcement was a long time coming, but we understand the Government has developed this legislation at speed and will use the select committee process to fill the ‘gaps’,” says Cr Ponter.

It is critical that the Minister understands the importance of councils and the role we will play in delivering this proposed system. Regional councils have, and will continue to be, key to its success, and we are invested in an enduring approach that withstands the government of the day.

“We agree with the overarching framework and the need for simplified planning and consenting, however the devil is in the detail – councils and iwi need clarity on Treaty obligations and governance arrangements to ensure these reforms actually deliver.”

Under the proposals, Greater Wellington will continue to play an important role in planning, regulation, and environmental protection in the Wellington Region.

“We welcome the introduction of spatial planning, which is long overdue. But I urge the Government to explicitly provide for inter-regional planning across the lower North Island rather than limiting planning to individual regions,” adds Ponter.

“As a council, we are responsible for driving economic growth with one hand while upholding environmental protections with the other, and those responsibilities are compromised by the separate proposal to remove regional councillors and limit investment through rate capping.

“The reforms coming for local government are complicated, and we will continue to work in line with existing regulation until any changes to the Resource Management Act come into effect.”

The Council will discuss the proposal and a potential submission to the Resource Management Act reform select committee process at the Council Meeting being held this Thursday, 11 December.