By Mike Vincent, Associate, Baseline Group | Feb 11, 2022
Love it or hate it, the RMA has shaped the development of New Zealand over the past 30 years. From two lot subdivisions to the exponential growth of towns like Rolleston and major infrastructure projects such as “roads of national significance”, the RMA has been the overarching document that has directed local government. But is time up for the RMA?
Among the public and professionals alike, there is a broad view the RMA is not working as originally intended. Thirty years of adjustments reflect a document which is corrupted and no longer bears resemblance to its original form.
Consequently, criticisms have been levelled at the case-by-case litigation of projects, seemingly losing sight of the Act’s main purpose (being the sustainable management of natural and physical resources). In some respects, the management of resources will always be different between Manukau and Leeston, but should they be so different between neighbouring post codes, or even neighbouring streets?
Other criticisms highlight that the RMA is susceptible to personal interpretations of amenity value. This in turn has impeded development in urban settings leading to housing shortages and congested road networks, contributing to poor social or economic outcomes. There is a common view that RMA timeframes are lengthy and frustrate the process of positive development, leading to uncertainty for major (and minor) projects.
Notwithstanding these issues, it is recognised the previous 30 years has seen genuinely important and momentous infrastructure development within New Zealand, and planning professionals can be proud of the advances made. However, with the passage of time brings new interpretations and with it, the opportunity to reinvest the lessons of 30 years of planning experience into new modern legislation.
In 2022 the Government will release three new pieces of environmental legislation: The Proposed Natural and Built Environments Act, Proposed Strategic Planning Act and Proposed Climate Adaptation Act. Whilst these documents are neither the be all and end all of planning legislation, it is hoped that this new approach will allow for clear and consistent direction on achieving the collective purpose of these new Acts.
No matter their application, development projects will still require professionals and those professionals will continue to provide expert advice and give you the answers you need for your development.
Articles you might be interested in
- Confused by Environmental Legislation? You are Not Alone.
- The Role of Planning in Land and Property Development
- Rivers, Lakes and Coastline, Public Space for All
- But that’s the way we have always done it!
- Navigating New Opportunities: The Importance of Land Development Planning in 2024
- Change isn't coming, it's here!
- RMA changes are coming, are you ready?
- Build-to-Rent Development in New Zealand: A Rising Trend in Housing
- Hazardous activities, land contamination and resource consent applications
- Managing Cultural Heritage Sites
- Is the RMA really the problem?
- Make Your Additional Land Profitable Under the Selwyn Proposed Plan
- Crunch Time For New Freshwater Legislation
- Flood Management – An Update
- Highly Productive Soils – Big Picture Thinking vs Private Landowners Needs
- The Great Forestry Debate
- Planning Permissions – Resource Consent or Plan Change?
- What to do when you inherit land
- Housing Growth continues in Selwyn with Legislative Support
- How to navigate Rural Land Development Under the National Policy Statement on Highly Productive Soils
- Who Pays for Infrastructure in Greenfield Land Development?
- What does an activity status mean for your land development?
- Rural Allotment Sizes set to Double
- Going for housing growth, to improve housing affordability
- The Taking of Esplanades at the Time of Subdivision
- The dream of subdividing your land
- Minimum Car Parking Requirements to be Chopped
- Negotiating with Neighbours Under the RMA
- Have your say on Development Projects
- Highly Productive Soils – Big Picture Thinking vs Private Landowners Needs
- Game changers for housing under the RMA
- Historic Heritage Challenges for Landowners
- Fundamental Culture Shift in New Zealand Planning Legislation.
- Good District Plan provisions save time and money
- Time matters – With Resource Consent
- A recent Baseline Group project was recognised at the 2022 Canterbury Architecture Awards
- A Practical Guide for District Plan Reviews
- The Role of Planning in the Climate Change - Discussion for Agriculture
- Our History - How We All Play a Part in its Protection
- Burning crop stubble on your property?
- Proposed Selwyn District Plan Update
- Crime Prevention Through Environment Design (CPTED)
- State highways, noise and reverse sensitivity: what’s the buzz?
- The impact of consent notices when purchasing land
- Managing Wastewater in Rural Canterbury: A Guide for Property Owners
- Is it a Wetland or Not?
- The rise or fall of rural lifestyle blocks in the Selwyn District?
- How Tree Canopies Transform Neighbourhoods and Enhance Lives
- Proposed Selwyn District Plan - What next?
- Tiny Home Revolution May Not Save Costs
- Importance of Sediment Management in Land Development Projects: Simple Techniques for Effective Sediment Runoff Control
- Outstanding Natural Features and Landscapes - effect on farming
- Boundary disputes – What are they and how can you resolve them?
- Who Shapes our Planning Rules?
- Selwyn District Council Changes Urban Allotment Sizes
- Indigenous Biodiversity: what does it mean for a farmer?
- The importance of knowing your boundaries
- Wild Weather and Resource Consent Requirements
- Flood Management | Changes in Selwyn
- Planning land use to be resilient to natural hazards
- Minimum car parking requirements to be chopped
- New Indigenous Biodiversity Legislation Mandates Significant Natural Area Identification
- The costs of subdividing hitting Selwyn | development contributions
- Your Rights as an Affected Neighbour: Navigating Development Under the RMA
- Spotlight on District Plan Provisions
- Risks to farmland in the planning framework
- Buildings under exemptions may still need resource consent
- What does a professional planner do?
- Councils are Increasing Residential Density, but why, who does it benefit?
- Changes to Resource Management Planning Signalled in Proposed Legislation
- Why we have complicated septic tank disposal rules
- Rural allotment sizes set to double in West Selwyn
- Cross lease titles - an overview
- Planning Rules can Affect Property Value
- Ensuring Compliance with Resource Management Laws
- District Plan in Selwyn – How will it Affect You?
- How might Development Contributions affect you?
- What does The Selwyn District Plan (appeals version) mean for the planning process and consent?
- Housing Intensification – Not for Everyone Says CCC
- Land Development opportunities and times of change
- How lizards might affect your new development
- With increasing density, good design matters
- Balancing Common Sense and Legal Process under the RMA: Protecting Communities and the Environment
- Commercial Activity in a Rural Zone – What’s the Harm?
- The National Policy Statement for Natural Hazard Decision-Making and its effects on Resource Consents