Changes to RMA 'rejected by judge'

National claims Principal Environment Court Judge John Bollard has taken a swipe at the Government's planned changes to the Resource Management Act as adding to costs and delays, not reducing them.

MP Nick Smith made the claim during Parliament's question time yesterday.

Judge Bollard could not be contacted to confirm or deny the claim.

Last Friday, the judge briefed the local government and environment select committee in private on the Resource Management and Electricity Legislation Amendment Bill.

Yesterday, Dr Smith tackled Environment Minister Marian Hobbs on the Government's claims that the bill's biggest change - removing full rehearings of cases at appeal - would cut costs and delays.

He put it to her that legal experts, environment and business groups, the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment and the Principal Environment Court Judge all thought the changes would, in fact, significantly add to costs and delays.

Ms Hobbs immediately complained to the Speaker, Margaret Wilson, that Dr Smith had referred to a private briefing to the select committee.

Dr Smith denied he got the information from the session - despite his attending it.

He pointed out he had not referred to a select committee meeting and then claimed Ms Hobbs and the Associate Minister for the Environment, David Benson-Pope, knew about Judge Bollard's views because she had received her own briefing from him.

"At that meeting they were advised that their amendments were nonsense and will not work," Dr Smith said.

The select committee chairwoman, Greens co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons, said later that she could not say if Dr Smith had accurately reported the judge's view.

But Forest and Bird conservation manager Kevin Hackwell said he was not surprised by Judge Bollard's reported views.

"The changes to the role of the Environment Court are largely unworkable.

"Environment Court appeals will get snarled up by arguments about how to handle evidence. Council hearings will become more costly and complicated."