Minister Chris Bishop has spoken out this week about the need to reform the “resource management system” in order to meet challenges around housing supply, long term infrastructure provision and meeting New Zealand’s emission targets.
NZPI lodged two submissions last week, one to amend part of the RMA through the Resource Management (Extended Duration of Coastal Permits for Marine Farms) Amendment Bill and the other to the Finance and Expenditure Committee Inquiry into Climate Adaptation. The submissions closed on June 16 and can be found here.
This was followed by announcements this week to make it easier to build “Granny Flats” as a potential solution to housing supply shortages and plans to reform the Public Works Act.
In his release Minister Chris Bishop announced plans to amend the Building Act and make changes to the resource consent system to enable structures of up to 60m2 without consent.
In his release the Minister noted that “Many district plans already allow granny flats without resource consent, but there’s a lack of consistency and different standards across the country. We’re proposing a National Environmental Standard (NES) to require all councils to permit a granny flat on sites in rural and residential zones without resource consent”.
NZPI supports stronger national direction as part of the reform of the resource management system. We also note that in many cases the resource management system has not been a barrier to the construction of minor dwellings, particularly in urban areas where higher levels of density are often encouraged. We assume that the NES would not override s6 Matters of National Importance and will be watching closely to see that newly enabled development won’t put people or property at increased risk of natural hazards.
This proposal has some cross-party support and government is seeking suggestions that will “help get the policy right”.
The consultation period opened on Monday 17 June and submissions can be received until 5pm Monday 12 August 2024.
The public can provide feedback online or by emailing grannyflats@mbie.govt.nz
Chris Penk, Minister for Land Information announced Government’s plans to reform the Public Works Act. An independent panel will undertake an eight-week review of the Act and advise on changes “to enable large scale public works to be built faster and cheaper”. The independent advisory panel will be appointed by the Chief Executive of Land Information, the agency responsible for administering the Public Works Act.
The legislation giving effect to these changes will be introduced in mid-2025. The public will then have an opportunity to provide feedback during the select committee process.
See the Minister’s full release here
With so much happening in the reform space it’s timely that the Auckland Emerging Planners, alongside Young RMLA, will hosting an in person and virtual event on July 2nd on The Submissions Process and the Role of Planners and Lawyers. This event features presenters from SLR consulting and Chapman Tripp.
Register for this event here
