Govt passes RMA reforms

Nick Smith said councils would still be able to protect trees and they would have the next two years to do so. Photo / Supplied

Reforms of the Resource Management Act (RMA) have passed into law with the support of most political parties.

Parliament sat under extended sitting hours as the Government pushed through the Resource Management (Simplifying and Streamlining) Amendment Bill tonight.

The bill reforms many aspects of the law, but Labour has focused on a new prohibition on blanket tree protection orders which it opposed.

National argues that the law change would allow for trees to be protected, while freeing homeowners of red tape when they wanted to trim them.

The Government said only Auckland had blanket bans.

Labour predicted wholesale removal of trees from Auckland with MP Lynne Pillay saying it would lead to the "death by a thousand cuts" of suburban greenery.

Labour argued the protections proposed by the changes would not work and would create even more red tape due to the need to list individual trees or groups of trees.

Environment Minister Nick Smith said councils would still be able to protect trees and they would have the next two years to do so.

Labour was failing to "see the wood for the trees", Dr Smith said.

Despite sometimes heated debate the bill passed with only the Greens and the Maori Party opposing the bill.

Amongst other things the new law:

*Attempts to reduce unreasonable and anti-competitive submissions intended to delay or block a competitor by using the RMA;

*Allows for the fast tracking of projects of national importance

* Restores the power of the Environment Court to require appellants to put up security for costs;

* Creates an Environmental Protection Agency; and

* Binds he Crown to the law.

Labour said while it opposed many parts of the law and doubted some would work, it opposed the overall thrust of the reforms.

The Greens said the changes would shut the public out of the planning process and allow developers to harm the economy.

The Government is working on a second phase of reform of the RMA.