Last night the Environment Minister, Hon. Dr Nick Smith, delivered a speech setting out the Government's intentions for advancing the RMA reforms.
Key proposed reforms include:
-
Adding management of natural hazards
-
Recognising urban planning
-
Prioritising housing affordability
-
Acknowledging the importance of infrastructure
-
Giving greater weight to property rights
-
Introducing national planning templates
-
Speeding up plan-making
-
Encouraging collaborative resolution
-
Strengthening national tools
-
Encouraging online platforms for simplicity and speed.
The Minister's press release contains links to the Minister's speech and a paper prepared for Treasury and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment on Impacts of Planning Rules, Regulations, Uncertainty and Delay on Residential Property Development.
We will continue to keep you updated on the reforms.