The Minister for Conservation Hon Tama Potaka has released proposals to modernise the country’s conservation system. The proposals are set out in two consultation documents and include streamlining the conservation management planning system, revamping the concession systems, providing more flexibility to exchange conservation land and charging for access to conservation areas.

Environmental Defence Society Policy Director Raewyn Peart says, “It will be important to build strong checks and balances into any new planning process, and this is why EDS has previously proposed the use of independent panels.”

EDS considers that the proposal to make it easier to exchange conservation land is of some concern and should not include land with high conservation values.

“There’s a lot of detail to digest over the coming days and we’ll be responding further in due course,” says Ms Peart .

Submissions close on 28 February and the public is encouraged to submit. EDS will run a webinar in the New Year to assist with that process.

More information: Raewyn Peart 021 613 379 or raewyn@eds.org.nz