Action for Community and the EnvironmentWhat is the RMA?
RMA Campaign New Zealand’s environment is under attack...
from its own Government.Prime Minister Jenny Shipley wants to push through major changes to the Resource Management Act that will drastically reduce environmental protection and take away the public’s right to have a say. What is the RMA?
The Government wants to introduce drastic changes to the Act to fast-track development at the expense of the environment.
- The RMA is New Zealand’s most important piece of environmental law.
- The Act says the environmental effects of all developments need to be recognised.That means looking after our water, land and air.
....That’s now under threat.
- The RMA also says that all New Zealanders have the right to have a say about decisions concerning their environment.
| What does the Government want to do? | ||
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These are just some of the situations you could find yourself in if proposed changes to the RMA get the go ahead. Under the Government’s plans, local councils will be given more power to say “Yes” to developments without any public input. The first thing you could hear about a new development is the sound of bulldozers moving in next door.If the Government gets its way, your right to have a say could be taken away. |
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It gets worse... The Government wants to let developers choose who processes their resource consent application. At present, resource consent applications are processed by local councils. But the Government wants to hand over consent processing to the private sector. Under the Government’s plans, private consultants could get to decide how much information the developer has to provide and who - if anyone - gets a say. What’s more, the developer would get to choose the consultant! For their part, consultants would be out to attract as many clients as they could by:
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The government also wants to:
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| Exploding the Myths: Business and the RMA | ||
| The Government says the RMA is too costly and slow and that it’s “holding up development”. | ||
| Let’s look at the facts:
Not surprisingly, most businesses see the RMA as legislation worthy of their support; surveys of businesses consistently show there is general satisfaction with the Act. You’ve got to ask: How much quicker and cheaper can it get without putting the protection of our environment at risk? |
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| What can
you do?
Join the campaign. Action for Community and the Environment (ACE) is a coalition of leading environment, heritage, recreation and community groups which have joined forces to protect the RMA. Members include ECO, Federated Mountain Clubs, Fish and Game New Zealand, Greenpeace, New Zealand Historic Places Trust and World Wide Fund for Nature. Together, we’re campaigning to ensure New Zealand’s unique environment and heritage are protected today and for the future. JOIN US AND TELL THE GOVERNMENT NO! To sign up or for more information
contact: ACE, P O Box 11-057, WELLINGTON
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We need your help. You can also show your support for the campaign by investing in Shares in the Environment. Ten thousand shares have been floated at $5 each to raise funds for the defence of the Act. Shares are on sale now and can be
purchased through ACE’s Wellington office.
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 ECO |
requiring less information,
