Conservation Bill still needs major changes despite Government retreat - EDS

The Environmental Defence Society (EDS) has today filed its submission on the Conservation Amendment Bill, welcoming the Government’s decision to abandon the controversial conservation land exchange and disposal provisions, while warning that several significant issues remain unresolved.

EDS says the Bill contains many worthwhile reforms that modernise an outdated conservation management system and improve the way the Department of Conservation manages public conservation land. But conservation must remain the overriding objective of the legislation, conservation plan-making and the concessions framework.

They say their principal concern is with the economic clauses. As currently drafted, they elevate economic use and development without making it clear that those activities must always remain subordinate to enduring conservation outcomes.

EDS is also seeking significant amendments to the proposed visitor amenity area provisions. Strategic planning for visitor facilities is sensible. But the Bill currently gives the Minister extraordinarily broad powers to establish activities in visitor amenity areas that override existing statutory protections and conservation planning.

EDS also recommends improvements to the Bill’s new planning and concessions framework, including:

• Strengthening the independent oversight role of the New Zealand Conservation Authority and Conservation Boards;

• Making the National Conservation Policy Statement mandatory;

• Incorporating climate change into conservation planning; and

• Ensuring public participation is retained for significant decisions.