Forest & Bird is supportive of some aspects of the Bills, but submits that very significant changes are needed in order for the Bills to achieve their stated goals of unlocking development capacity and enabling delivery of infrastructure and primary sector growth while safeguarding the natural environment.
One integrated Act is preferable
Forest & Bird has carefully considered the reasons given for moving to a two Act system, but cannot see how this provides for a more efficient and effective system.
The two Act approach results in the need to duplicate content between the two Bills. More substantively, it creates real uncertainty over how activities or environmental features that span both Bills are provided for (biodiversity being a key example of this).
It will not be possible for people to simply “go to one place” to find out what is permitted or requires consent. Activities on land create impacts on water, air, climate and ecosystems: land use planning cannot be separated from wider environmental considerations.
For those reasons, Forest & Bird records its preference for one integrated environmental planning system rather than the two Acts proposed.
That does not mean Forest & Bird is wedded to the RMA. It can see areas where the Bills propose meaningful improvements on the RMA and has noted its support for those features below. However, separation of the system into two separate acts is not an improvement.
Download and read Forest & Bird's submission: