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Articles by Bianca Tree
Regulatory Reform Guide: Public Works Act 1981
The Government’s ‘Going for Growth’ programme needs infrastructure projects to proceed at an accelerated pace. The Government has publicly stated that infrastructure projects are currently delayed, citing complex and drawn-out processes for acquiring the necessary land as a key barrier. Over the past month, Hon Chris Penk, the Minister for Land Information New Zealand, has announced a number of changes to (but not a full overhaul of) the Public Works Act 1981.
Housing Minister announces overhaul of Development Contribution Regime
Housing Minister Chris Bishop last week announced key changes to improve New Zealand’s infrastructure funding and financing tools to stimulate housing development. This announcement is part of “Pillar 2” of the Government's broader "Going for Housing Growth" initiative, which seeks to fix the fundamentals of our housing crisis: land supply, infrastructure and incentives for growth.
Councils favour DAPP to get on with adaptation at the local level
The Controller and Auditor-General John Ryan’s office has recently conducted an assessment of four local councils to understand the progress each organisation has made towards planning for climate change. Ryan has urged that there is still more work to be done in respect of adaptation.
Phase three: The future of resource management
Earlier this year, the Coalition Government laid out a road map for resource management reform, with the final destination being a replacement to the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) [1]. The Honourable Chris Bishop has announced that the RMA will be replaced by two new and distinct acts: one dedicated to the natural environment to manage environmental effects arising from activities and the other focusing on urban development and infrastructure.
Investing in nature-positive infrastructure: The potential role of nature markets
Globally there is a significant funding gap for nature, estimated at more than USD700 billion per year [1]. This is the gap between how much is currently spent and how much is needed if biodiversity decline is to be reversed. Nature markets are emerging internationally as part of the response to the global decline in biodiversity caused by this significant underinvestment in nature [2].
RMA reform: Overhaul of national direction and a change in approach to the Fast-track process
Overhaul of national direction The Coalition Government’s Roadmap for resource management signalled that the second phase of reform would be substantive, and we now have confirmation [1].
The UK Environment Act: A new era for Biodiversity Net Gain?
An increased focus on sustainability and environment enhancement when planning infrastructure projects is an idea gaining traction overseas. With reform of New Zealand’s resource management and environmental landscape one of the Government’s priorities [1], New Zealand could look to overseas legislation when considering whether and how to introduce nature-positive infrastructure (NPI) requirements in our law and policy.
Infrastructure and development projects with regional or national benefits set to benefit from the new Fast-Track approval regime
The Government has unveiled its plan to speed up the delivery of significant infrastructure and development projects by introducing a new Fast Track Approvals Bill (Bill) to Parliament. The Bill will provide a fast-track ‘one-stop shop’ for environmental approvals. While the Bill is based on previous fast-track resource consent regimes, eligibility and the types of authorisations which can be issued have been broadened, reflecting the emphasis of the Government on growth and development.
The impact of infrastructure: Knowing your options
As this year’s General Election looms closer, the various political parties contesting the election are releasing their election policies. High on the priority list for the major parties are roading and infrastructure projects. Regardless of the outcome of the election, one thing is certain – a number of roading and other transport upgrades and projects will kick off as a result – and your property and business may be affected.
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