In Waikato Regional Council v Matamata-Piako District Council [2020] NZDC 7135 Judge Harland has issued a warning to territorial authorities about the likelihood increased fines for future unlawful discharges. She also sets out several proactive management measures that territorial authorities should be undertaking in respect of their infrastructure.
The Resource Management Amendment Bill was introduced in September 2019 and we reported on it here. The Bill includes revisiting restrictions on public notification and appeals, reinstating financial contributions and adding a new specialised process for freshwater decision-making.
The Resource Management Review Panel has released the paper
Transforming the resource management system: opportunities for change – Issues and options paper
The paper is intended to start a conversation about issues to be considered and addressed by the Review. It seeks comments from stakeholders to inform the development of the panel’s proposals for reform. Comments on the paper are welcomed no later than Monday 3 February 2020.
In the recent decision Environmental Defence Society Inc v Otago Regional Council [2019] NZHC 2278 the High Court has overturned an interim decision of the Environment Court concerning provision for ports in the Proposed Otago Regional Policy Statement (PORPS). This decision further reinforces the sea change in application of the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) since the Supreme Court’s 2014 decision in Environmental Defence Soc Inc v New Zealand King Salmon Co Ltd [2014] NZSC 38 concerning giving effect to directive avoidance policies in the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement 2010 (NZCPS).
The Resource Management Amendment Bill was introduced earlier this week. The Bill includes revisiting restrictions on public notification and appeals, reinstating financial contributions and adding a new specialised process for freshwater decision-making. You can view the full list of proposals in the Explanatory Note at the following link:
The Supreme Court’s decision in Discount Brands Ltd v Westfield (New Zealand) Ltd [2005] NZSC 17 established the standard of information consent authorities require to make notification decisions under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA). However, subsequent amendments to the notification provisions of the RMA removed the express statutory requirement for consent authorities to have adequate information, and replaced the rebuttable presumption of notification with a discretion to notify, casting doubt on the continued applicability of Discount Brands.
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