Protect the environment — protect the RMA

Forest and Bird, Issue 305, 1 August 2002, Unnumbered Page (Supplement)

Protect the environment — protect the RMA

he Resource Management Act (RMA) promotes the sustainable management of the environment and gives the community an opportunity to comment on proposed activities with significant environmental effects. The community can present relevant information to decision-makers, so that decisions are fair, balanced and sustainable. Pre-election criticisms levelled at the RMA, saw the last Labour Government announcing it intended to reduce public input in an effort to reduce costs to business, despite New Zealand’s low environmental compliance costs by international standards. An OECD Report published in 2001 shows New Zealand businesses require fewer permits under the RMA, than required in most of the 11 countries surveyed. Labour prided itself on taking positive action on environmental issues during its last term in Government. But Labour’s weak stance on the RMA suggests that its commitment to public participation in RMA processes is easily swayed. If we are to safeguard our environment and opportunities for public participation, the RMA needs to be strengthened, not weakened.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Write to the Environment Minister and the Prime Minister and ask them to protect the RMA and not add Limited Notification to the Resource Management Amendment Bill. For more information see the Dispelling the Myths fact sheet on our website (www.forestandbird.org.nz)

Writing or sending emails to Ministers or MPs The address is Parliament Buildings, Wellington. No stamp is required. Email addresses are firstname.lastname@parliament.govt.nz