The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment has submitted on the Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill. He has detailed concerns that the Bill will undermine the legitimacy of the fast-track process and the robustness of its decisions.

RMLA’s primary objective in making submissions or providing feedback on Government proposals is to ensure that a coherent and workable body of resource management and environmental law is developed in New Zealand. Accordingly, the RMLA does not typically comment on policy matters. Instead, its submissions focus on identifying any changes needed to ensure that the proposal will:

a) be consistent with the general framework of existing laws and policies and legally sound;

b) be practicable, effective and efficient;

c) assist in promoting best practice; and

d) produce high quality environmental outcomes.

Under normal circumstances, the RMLA would ensure its members are informed of the key elements of any new Government proposal and seek feedback from its membership so as to ensure any submission made reflects the broad and diverse range of views held within the organisation. However, due to the extraordinarily short timeframe for preparing and lodging submissions on the Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill (FTAAB/the Bill), just over five working days, this was not possible.

The RMLA is extremely disappointed with the exceptionally limited timeframe for providing feedback on the Bill, particularly given the significance and far-reaching implications of the proposed changes.

Auckland Council is making changes to the Auckland Unitary Plan – the city’s rulebook for where and how new homes and buildings can be built.

Legislation to protect productive farmland by limiting farm-to-forest conversions is now in place.

The Water Services Authority – Taumata Arowai is inviting feedback on proposed changes to the Drinking Water Quality Assurance Rules.

The Government is consulting on a formal amendment to the second emissions reduction plan to reflect its revised approach to reducing agricultural emissions.

Changes to New Zealand’s climate change law include updates related to the NZ Emissions Trading Scheme and general changes to smooth the operation of the Climate Change Response Act.

The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment has written a letter to Minister Shane Jones responding to the Minister's recent remarks about the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to express concern over comments that questioned the agency’s ability to implement fast-track legislation.

The Environmental Defence Society has condemned the Fast-track Approvals Amendment Bill in its submission to the Environment Select Committee, warning that it will further weaken environmental safeguards, erode public participation, and undermine constitutional checks and balances.

The Heritage NZ Board and Māori Heritage Council have considered submissions on the consultation draft of their Statements of General Policy.

Approval has been granted for the first renewable energy project under the Fast-track Approvals Act.