28 Apr 2009

Big companies against RMA amendments

9:52 pm on 28 April 2009

Some of the country's biggest companies have spoken out against proposed amendments to the Resource Management Act, saying the changes cast their net too wide.

The Local Government and Environment Committee was in Auckland on Tuesday to hear views on the legislative changes.

The bill includes trade competition provisions designed to stop legislation being misused by companies trying to prevent competitors from getting a resource consent.

But TrustPower, Westfield and Fletcher Building are among some of the companies to express reservations.

Lawyer Christian Whata says the bill could lock out businesses legitimately taking part in the planning process.

Mr Whata says the Environment Court should be given the power to rule whether a company is using the Resource Management Act for anti-competitive purposes.

The select committee will continue to sit in Auckland on Wednesday before convening in Christchurch on Thursday.