20 Feb 2009

Bill to reform RMA passes first hurdle

5:58 am on 20 February 2009

A bill putting in place the Government's Resource Management Act reforms has passed its first reading in Parliament under urgency.

The reforms aim to simplify and streamline the resource consent process, in particular for projects of national significance.

Environment Minister Nick Smith says the bill will provide timely support to other government measures to stimulate the economy.

He told Parliament that since the RMA was passed in 1991, there has been growing criticism across all sectors about its slow and costly processes.

He said the bill makes changes to the level of public involvement, which he said is necessary to achieve any real improvement in its operations.

The bill sets up an Environmental Protection Agency which would process consent applications for projects of national significance, with hearings held before a Board of Inquiry.

The board would have to make its decision within nine months, and that decision could only be appealed on points of law.

The bill passed by 110 votes to 10, with the Greens and the Progressive Party's Jim Anderton voting against it.