The Resource Management (Freshwater and Other Matters) Amendment Bill has been tabled, the first of two amendments to the RMA. It will make the following changes to the principal Act and national direction made under it:

• It will exclude the hierarchy of Te Mana o te Wai in the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management from resource consenting processes until it is replaced
• It seeks to “align” the consenting pathway for coal mining with other mineral extraction
• It removes council obligations to identify new significant natural areas for 3 years
• It amends the Resource Management (Stock Exclusion) Regulations 2020 in relation to sloped land
• It repeals the permitted and restricted discretionary activity regulations, and associated conditions, for intensive winter grazing from freshwater national environmental standards

“These changes, on top of the Fast-track Approvals Bill, represent a further attempt by the Coalition Government to reduce environmental protections and enable development at all costs,” said EDS CEO Gary Taylor.

The Bill will be referred to a select committee.

More: Gary Taylor 021 895 896