Top of the south transmission problem a 'beat up'

6 July 2004 - Wellington

Contact:Kevin Hackwell, Conservation Manager, 04 385 7374, 021 227 8420

Nelson MP Nick Smith's claims that the RMA would delay the development of an electricity transmission upgrade at the top of the South Island are a 'beat up' Forest and Bird's Conservation Manager Kevin Hackwell said today.

"This is just the latest in a series of beat-ups about the RMA by its detractors. There's a process under the RMA to 'call in' resource consent applications that deals with this kind of situation. The most useful thing a Nelson MP could do is encourage the Government to use its call in powers," he said.

"The Government's 'call in' powers have only ever been invoked twice - for the Waitaki River and the Stratford power station. The upgrade of electricity transmission lines in the upper South island would be a prime candidate for the use of this existing Government power," he said.

"The public appears to be subject to a persistent campaign of misinformation aimed at inserting National Development Act type processes into the Resource Management Act. Is Nick Smith proposing a return to the days of Muldoon?" he asked.