Amendment Paper for RM Bill 2

Through Amendment Papers introduced on Tuesday, the Government has made major amendments to the Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Bill. The Bill was considered by the Committee of the whole House on Tuesday evening and is expected to have its third reading shortly.

The latest changes include:

• Stopping existing and new plan-making until 31 December 2027, with some automatic exemptions and the ability to apply to the Minister for exemptions in other limited circumstances.

• A new regulation-making power allowing the Minister to modify or remove plan provisions (and the process to do that).

• Tighten the criteria for Auckland Council’s MDRS opt-out, requiring substantial upzoning near specified rail stations.

• Removal of the Gordon Wilson Flats from the Wellington City district plan and direct changes to the Otago Regional Plan water permit provisions.

• Amendments relating to thermal electricity generation activities and coastal permits.

• Replacement section 70(3) relating to permitted activity rules for the discharge of contaminants.

Read the Bill and proposed amendments to Amendment Paper No 347

Environmental Defence Society press release: New Resource Management Bill an unprecedented power grab by Ministers.