NZFOA & NZFFA submission on changes to RMAFriday 7 Mar 2025
It was Rachel Millar and my privilege to speak to the Environment Select Committee about the Forest Owners Association and New Zealand Farm Forestry Association joint submission on the Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Bill. We generally support the bill and efficiencies proposed, including more efficient consents for wood processing and discipline around processing s92 requests. However, we have significant concerns about how the ability to restrict land use for natural hazards might be applied without mapping. Spatial plans create clarity. We are also concerned about limiting public participation in hearings - it's a two way street, and hearings ensure that consenting issues get worked through. The key issue is lack of clarity for how submitters will need to provide evidence, and we propose a middle ground that clarifies the process for the consideration of written evidence, with a discretion for the consent authority to determine whether a hearing is necessary. We'd also prefer that the regard for "non-compliance" issues be dealt with in the stage 3 reforms. As self-described forest nerds, Rachel and I appreciated the committee's questions and interest in our submission. You can read our submission here. And you can eventually watch the appearance on vimeo here. Source & image credit: NZFOA | ||
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