'Dramatic turnaround' in RMA consents speed

Environment minister Nick Smith says a new report showed his Government's changes to streamline and simplify the RMA were working. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Environment Minister Nick Smith is hailing "a dramatic turnaround" by local authorities in processing Resource Management Act consents far more quickly since legislation was passed to speed up the process.

A report released today showed 95 per cent of consents were processed on time in the year to June compared with 69 per cent for the same period in 2008.

"This improvement means only 1807 homeowners and businesses had problems with late consents in 2011 compared with 16,017 in 2008", said Dr Smith.

"This turnaround has been dramatic and consistent across the country."

In 2008 only 25 of 84 councils had a 90 per cent or better compliance rate, the new figures showed 73 out of 78 councils had achieved that performance. The number of local authorities measured has fallen because of the amalgamation of several into the Supercity structure in Auckland.

RMA changes introduced by National include requiring local authorities to give fee discounts if consents are late in coming and removing the requirement for consents for minor activities such as tree trimming.

Dr Smith also said there had been a "recessionary impact" which saw the number of applications dropping from 51,960 in 2008 to 36,154.

Nevertheless, Dr Smith said the report showed his Government's changes to streamline and simplify the RMA were working. The National Government is planning a second phase of RMA reforms "to support our bluegreen agenda of less bureaucracy and better environmental outcomes".