Latest news with #Fast-trackApprovalsAct
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Enabling More Housing: National Direction On Granny Flats And Papakāinga
Press Release – New Zealand Government The RMA is broken, and its a big part of the reason for many of New Zealands biggest problems with infrastructure, housing and energy, Mr Bishop says. The Government is taking action to address the country's housing crisis through the biggest package of proposed changes to national direction in New Zealand's history, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka say. National direction refers to rules and policies sitting under the Resource Management Act (RMA) that inform how councils develop and implement local plans and rules. The Government is today releasing three discussion documents proposing amendments to 12 different instruments and the introduction of four new instruments, centred on three packages: infrastructure and development, the primary sector and freshwater. 'The RMA is broken, and it's a big part of the reason for many of New Zealand's biggest problems with infrastructure, housing and energy,' Mr Bishop says. 'Addressing this is critical to boosting economic growth, improving living standards and meeting future challenges posed by natural hazards and climate change. 'We've already repealed Labour's botched RMA reforms and are making a series of quick and targeted amendments to unlock land for housing, build infrastructure, and allow communities to share the benefits of growth. We've also passed the Fast-track Approvals Act to make it much easier to deliver projects with regional or nationally significant benefits – and the first projects including Delmore (1,250 residential dwellings in Auckland) are already going through the Fast-track process. 'Next year we'll replace the RMA with new legislation premised on property rights. Our new system will provide a framework that makes it easier to plan and deliver infrastructure and energy projects, as well as protecting the environment. 'In the meantime we're making targeted, quick changes through our second RMA amendment Bill which is expected back from the Environment Committee next month, and changes to national direction. 'Addressing housing affordability and supply is a key focus for the Government. We want to make it easier for families to build a granny flat of up to 70 square metres on an existing property through proposed new National Environmental Standards for Granny Flats. This NES will require all councils to permit a granny flat on sites in rural, residential, mixed use, and Māori purpose zones without the need to gain a resource consent subject to certain conditions. It will sit alongside our parallel work to amend the Building Act to remove the need for a building consent for those same granny flats.' 'Existing resource management rules are a barrier for Māori to build papakāinga housing on ancestral land. Our proposed new National Environmental Standard for Papakāinga would allow papakāinga on some rural land, residential zones, and Māori purpose zones, subject to certain conditions. It would enable Māori to develop papakāinga housing more efficiently and quickly,' Mr Potaka says. 'We are committed to providing better housing options for whānau, and one of the ways we will achieve this is by making it easier for Māori landowners to unlock opportunities for their whenua. 'Currently, inconsistent rules for building papakāinga in council district and unitary plans across the country are preventing Māori landowners from using their land to house their whānau, exercise autonomy over their whenua, and build wealth. 'We're proposing to introduce a consistent national framework – called National Environmental Standards – that will reduce consenting inconsistencies, remove planning barriers, and make consenting less costly and complex. 'If accepted, consenting standards would become uniform across the country, regardless of which district plan the land falls under, and small-scale – up to 10 homes – papakāinga would no longer require resource consent. 'These changes, developed in consultation with papakāinga and Māori planning experts, will reduce bureaucracy and make it easier for Māori landowners to develop papakāinga so more whānau are able to live in warm, dry, healthy, affordable housing. 'Papakāinga provide multiple benefits to whānau, hapū and Iwi. As well as economic, social, and wellbeing benefits, papakāinga provide holistic and cultural benefits because our connection to the whenua is such a key part of being Māori. 'This proposal would also complement our granny flats policy. Together the two proposals provide options for Māori to build on their existing assets. While the papakāinga development provides more scope for multiple homes on communally owned Māori land, the granny flats policy provides an option for homeowners to build one additional dwelling on their residential property without consent building or resource consent.' Consultation on these proposals will remain open until 27 July 2025. The Government intends to have 16 new or updated national direction instruments in place by the end of this year. Notes: Infrastructure and development is one of three national direction packages released today as part of the Government's wider reform of the resource management system. The other two packages cover changes for the primary sector and freshwater management.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Electrifying Growth: Infrastructure And Energy RMA National Direction Open For Consultation
Press Release – New Zealand Government The RMA is a direct contributor to New Zealands infrastructure deficit. It drives up costs, slows projects down, and has become a complicated nightmare for councils and applicants alike, says Mr Bishop. Minister for RMA Reform Hon Simon Watts Minister for Energy The Government is taking action to address the country's infrastructure deficit and energy shortage through a series of important changes to national direction under the RMA, say RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Energy Minister Simon Watts. National direction refers to rules and policies sitting under the Resource Management Act (RMA) that inform how councils develop and implement local plans and rules. The Government is today releasing three discussion documents proposing amendments to twelve different instruments and the introduction of four new instruments, centred on three packages: infrastructure and development, the primary sector and freshwater. 'The RMA is a direct contributor to New Zealand's infrastructure deficit. It drives up costs, slows projects down, and has become a complicated nightmare for councils and applicants alike', says Mr Bishop. 'Sorting out our planning rules is critical to boosting economic growth and improving living standards. 'In our first year in office, we repealed Labour's botched RMA reforms and made a series of quick and targeted amendments to remove unnecessary regulations for primary industries as well as barriers to investment in development and infrastructure. 'We also passed the Fast-track Approvals Act to make it much easier to deliver infrastructure and other development projects with significant regional or national benefits. The first projects are already going through the fast-track process. 'Next year we'll replace the RMA with new legislation premised on property rights. Our new system will provide a framework that makes it easier to plan and deliver infrastructure and energy projects, as well as protecting the environment. 'In the meantime, we're making targeted, quick changes through our second RMA Amendment Bill which is expected back from the Environment Committee next month, and these changes to national direction. 'We're proposing a new National Policy Statement for Infrastructure to send a clear message that infrastructure is critical to our prosperity, and to prioritise existing and new infrastructure in resource consent processes. 'We're also proposing a strengthened National Policy Statement for Renewable Electricity Generation. The current NPS was drafted in 2011 and is far too vague and woolly. Decision-makers need clear guidance that renewable energy is vital to our prosperity. We need billions of dollars of investment in the coming years in renewable energy supply but it's too hard to consent renewable energy projects'. 'This Government is committed to unleashing transmission and distribution infrastructure on our mission to electrify the New Zealand economy,' Mr Watts says. 'We know the energy system is facing complex challenges right now. The security and reliability of our electricity supply depend on bringing new generation online and strengthening our network infrastructure. 'Right now, New Zealand's energy infrastructure is vulnerable to severe weather events and seasonal shortages. By changing the electricity generation and transmission national direction, we can improve both energy security and affordability, while helping us achieve our goal of doubling renewable energy by 2050. The changes will also support the country's existing renewable energy assets, including lines networks.' 'The current environmental standards around telecommunication facilities were drafted in 2016 and are now very out of date. Changes to the standards will update rules around poles and other infrastructure and create a more efficient consenting environment', Mr Bishop says. 'Cabinet has also agreed to progress new national direction for Natural Hazards. The aim for the new National Policy Statement for Natural Hazards is to make straightforward changes that will have an immediate effect on consenting as well as align with the new resource management system.' 'We want councils to make better choices about where and how people can build so that new development is more resilient to severe weather events. Further direction to councils around how to identify, assess and respond to risks from natural hazards can be provided as part of the next stage of resource management reform'. Consultation on these proposals will remain open until 27 July 2025. The Government intends to have 16 new or updated national direction instruments in place by the end of this year. Fact sheet attached here. Infrastructure and development is one of three national direction packages released today as part of the Government's wider reform of the resource management system. The other two packages cover changes for the primary sector and freshwater management.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Electrifying Growth: Infrastructure And Energy RMA National Direction Open For Consultation
Press Release – New Zealand Government The RMA is a direct contributor to New Zealands infrastructure deficit. It drives up costs, slows projects down, and has become a complicated nightmare for councils and applicants alike, says Mr Bishop. Minister for RMA Reform Hon Simon Watts Minister for Energy The Government is taking action to address the country's infrastructure deficit and energy shortage through a series of important changes to national direction under the RMA, say RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Energy Minister Simon Watts. National direction refers to rules and policies sitting under the Resource Management Act (RMA) that inform how councils develop and implement local plans and rules. The Government is today releasing three discussion documents proposing amendments to twelve different instruments and the introduction of four new instruments, centred on three packages: infrastructure and development, the primary sector and freshwater. 'The RMA is a direct contributor to New Zealand's infrastructure deficit. It drives up costs, slows projects down, and has become a complicated nightmare for councils and applicants alike', says Mr Bishop. 'Sorting out our planning rules is critical to boosting economic growth and improving living standards. 'In our first year in office, we repealed Labour's botched RMA reforms and made a series of quick and targeted amendments to remove unnecessary regulations for primary industries as well as barriers to investment in development and infrastructure. 'We also passed the Fast-track Approvals Act to make it much easier to deliver infrastructure and other development projects with significant regional or national benefits. The first projects are already going through the fast-track process. 'Next year we'll replace the RMA with new legislation premised on property rights. Our new system will provide a framework that makes it easier to plan and deliver infrastructure and energy projects, as well as protecting the environment. 'In the meantime, we're making targeted, quick changes through our second RMA Amendment Bill which is expected back from the Environment Committee next month, and these changes to national direction. 'We're proposing a new National Policy Statement for Infrastructure to send a clear message that infrastructure is critical to our prosperity, and to prioritise existing and new infrastructure in resource consent processes. 'We're also proposing a strengthened National Policy Statement for Renewable Electricity Generation. The current NPS was drafted in 2011 and is far too vague and woolly. Decision-makers need clear guidance that renewable energy is vital to our prosperity. We need billions of dollars of investment in the coming years in renewable energy supply but it's too hard to consent renewable energy projects'. 'This Government is committed to unleashing transmission and distribution infrastructure on our mission to electrify the New Zealand economy,' Mr Watts says. 'We know the energy system is facing complex challenges right now. The security and reliability of our electricity supply depend on bringing new generation online and strengthening our network infrastructure. 'Right now, New Zealand's energy infrastructure is vulnerable to severe weather events and seasonal shortages. By changing the electricity generation and transmission national direction, we can improve both energy security and affordability, while helping us achieve our goal of doubling renewable energy by 2050. The changes will also support the country's existing renewable energy assets, including lines networks.' 'The current environmental standards around telecommunication facilities were drafted in 2016 and are now very out of date. Changes to the standards will update rules around poles and other infrastructure and create a more efficient consenting environment', Mr Bishop says. 'Cabinet has also agreed to progress new national direction for Natural Hazards. The aim for the new National Policy Statement for Natural Hazards is to make straightforward changes that will have an immediate effect on consenting as well as align with the new resource management system.' 'We want councils to make better choices about where and how people can build so that new development is more resilient to severe weather events. Further direction to councils around how to identify, assess and respond to risks from natural hazards can be provided as part of the next stage of resource management reform'. Consultation on these proposals will remain open until 27 July 2025. The Government intends to have 16 new or updated national direction instruments in place by the end of this year. Fact sheet attached here. Infrastructure and development is one of three national direction packages released today as part of the Government's wider reform of the resource management system. The other two packages cover changes for the primary sector and freshwater management.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Consultation Opens On Sweeping Overhaul Of Primary Sector Regulations
Press Release – New Zealand Government National direction refers to rules and policies sitting under the Resource Management Act (RMA) that inform how councils develop and implement local plans and rules. Minister for RMA Reform Hon Todd McClay Minister of Agriculture Hon Andrew Hoggard Associate Minister for the Environment The Government has opened public consultation on the biggest package of changes to national direction under the RMA in New Zealand history, with proposals to streamline or remove many of the burdensome regulations holding our primary sector back from growth, say RMA Minister Chris Bishop, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard. National direction refers to rules and policies sitting under the Resource Management Act (RMA) that inform how councils develop and implement local plans and rules. The Government is today releasing three discussion documents proposing amendments to 12 different instruments and the introduction of four new instruments, centred on three packages: infrastructure and development, the primary sector and freshwater. 'The primary sector underpins New Zealand's economy and standard of living. When farmers, and foresters do well, New Zealand does well – but for too long, New Zealand's primary producers have struggled against overly restrictive, confusing and duplicative regulations,' Mr Bishop says. 'The RMA has made it harder to create the high value products the world needs from the land and sea. Our package of proposed reforms seeks to streamline and clarify many of the bugbears causing our primary industries sector sleepless nights and lost productivity. 'The Government has a comprehensive RMA reform programme well in train. We've already repealed Labour's botched RMA reforms and made a series of quick and targeted amendments to provide relief to farmers, such as repealing the permitted and restricted discretionary intensive winter grazing regulations. 'We've also passed the Fast-track Approvals Act to make it much easier to deliver projects with regional or nationally significant benefits, and next year we'll replace the RMA with new legislation premised on property rights. 'The changes we're now proposing to national direction under the existing RMA give effect to a range of coalition commitments, can be done quickly and relatively easily, and will help unclog the growth arteries of the economy. The changes have been designed to be able to transition to the new RMA system once implemented. 'Farmers and growers have had enough of rules that make it harder to farm, not easier. This Government is getting out of the way and backing rural New Zealand with a common-sense approach to primary sector regulation,' Mr McClay says. 'These changes will make it easier to invest on-farm, lift productivity, and build long-term resilience in the face of weather and market challenges. It's about freeing farmers to do what they do best—producing high-quality food and fibre for New Zealand and the world—without being buried in paperwork. 'The Primary Sector package proposes changes to eight national direction instruments. These changes will remove the restrictions on non-intensive grazing of beef cattle and deer in wetlands, streamline changes to consent conditions for the aquaculture sector, reduce inefficiencies for the forestry sector and better enable priority activities in coastal areas. 'National campaigned on removing LUC 3 land from the strictures of the National Policy Statement on Highly Productive Land, and I'm pleased to confirm that our proposed amendments do exactly that. We are also consulting on creating 'special agricultural areas' around key horticulture hubs like Pukekohe and Horowhenua.' 'The significant costs on farmers to fence off cattle and deer from wetlands on low intensity properties was way out of proportion to the environmental risk. This proposed change is another step to cut red tape for farmers and let them find solutions that work for their farm, and their catchment,' says Mr Hoggard. Consultation on these proposals open today until 27 July 2025. The Government intends to have 16 new or updated national direction instruments in place by the end of this year. Notes: Fact sheet attached here: Primary Industries consultation package Consultation timeframes and processes: Public consultation will open this week on the 'have your say' section of the Ministry for the Environment website. The primary sector discussion document explains the suite of national direction proposed in the primary sector package and includes material on the proposals to create or amend national policy statements and national environment standards under section 46A (1) and (2) of the RMA. Proposed new provisions for national direction are provided in section 5 of the discussion document and form part of the proposals and its implementation for the primary sector package.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Enabling More Housing: National Direction On Granny Flats And Papakāinga
Press Release – New Zealand Government The Government is taking action to address the country's housing crisis through the biggest package of proposed changes to national direction in New Zealand's history, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka say. National direction refers to rules and policies sitting under the Resource Management Act (RMA) that inform how councils develop and implement local plans and rules. The Government is today releasing three discussion documents proposing amendments to 12 different instruments and the introduction of four new instruments, centred on three packages: infrastructure and development, the primary sector and freshwater. 'The RMA is broken, and it's a big part of the reason for many of New Zealand's biggest problems with infrastructure, housing and energy,' Mr Bishop says. 'Addressing this is critical to boosting economic growth, improving living standards and meeting future challenges posed by natural hazards and climate change. 'We've already repealed Labour's botched RMA reforms and are making a series of quick and targeted amendments to unlock land for housing, build infrastructure, and allow communities to share the benefits of growth. We've also passed the Fast-track Approvals Act to make it much easier to deliver projects with regional or nationally significant benefits – and the first projects including Delmore (1,250 residential dwellings in Auckland) are already going through the Fast-track process. 'Next year we'll replace the RMA with new legislation premised on property rights. Our new system will provide a framework that makes it easier to plan and deliver infrastructure and energy projects, as well as protecting the environment. 'In the meantime we're making targeted, quick changes through our second RMA amendment Bill which is expected back from the Environment Committee next month, and changes to national direction. 'Addressing housing affordability and supply is a key focus for the Government. We want to make it easier for families to build a granny flat of up to 70 square metres on an existing property through proposed new National Environmental Standards for Granny Flats. This NES will require all councils to permit a granny flat on sites in rural, residential, mixed use, and Māori purpose zones without the need to gain a resource consent subject to certain conditions. It will sit alongside our parallel work to amend the Building Act to remove the need for a building consent for those same granny flats.' 'Existing resource management rules are a barrier for Māori to build papakāinga housing on ancestral land. Our proposed new National Environmental Standard for Papakāinga would allow papakāinga on some rural land, residential zones, and Māori purpose zones, subject to certain conditions. It would enable Māori to develop papakāinga housing more efficiently and quickly,' Mr Potaka says. 'We are committed to providing better housing options for whānau, and one of the ways we will achieve this is by making it easier for Māori landowners to unlock opportunities for their whenua. 'Currently, inconsistent rules for building papakāinga in council district and unitary plans across the country are preventing Māori landowners from using their land to house their whānau, exercise autonomy over their whenua, and build wealth. 'We're proposing to introduce a consistent national framework – called National Environmental Standards – that will reduce consenting inconsistencies, remove planning barriers, and make consenting less costly and complex. 'If accepted, consenting standards would become uniform across the country, regardless of which district plan the land falls under, and small-scale – up to 10 homes – papakāinga would no longer require resource consent. 'These changes, developed in consultation with papakāinga and Māori planning experts, will reduce bureaucracy and make it easier for Māori landowners to develop papakāinga so more whānau are able to live in warm, dry, healthy, affordable housing. 'Papakāinga provide multiple benefits to whānau, hapū and Iwi. As well as economic, social, and wellbeing benefits, papakāinga provide holistic and cultural benefits because our connection to the whenua is such a key part of being Māori. 'This proposal would also complement our granny flats policy. Together the two proposals provide options for Māori to build on their existing assets. While the papakāinga development provides more scope for multiple homes on communally owned Māori land, the granny flats policy provides an option for homeowners to build one additional dwelling on their residential property without consent building or resource consent.' Consultation on these proposals will remain open until 27 July 2025. The Government intends to have 16 new or updated national direction instruments in place by the end of this year. Notes: Infrastructure and development is one of three national direction packages released today as part of the Government's wider reform of the resource management system. The other two packages cover changes for the primary sector and freshwater management.
