RMA reform must deliver for Southland

Today’s announcement by the Government sets out a significant shift in environmental management and our priority is to ensure Southland’s interests remain at the forefront of any framework that governs our region’s future.

Environment Southland Chair Jeremy McPhail said it was going to take some time to work through the details, but that in essence, today’s announcement signals expected changes for the future, with less regulation and more permitted and non-regulatory activities.

“There’s a lot of promise riding on these bills. We all want a streamlined, fit-for-purpose alternative to the cumbersome RMA, which we’ve had to work within for so long.

The RMA process meant that Southland’s Water and Land Plan was very time-consuming and was subject to quite a bit of change by the Environment Court, but for all that, it has had strong local input and was designed to work for local conditions.”

Chair McPhail said it was important for the reform to have environmental safeguards.

“Southland is a case in point when it comes to demonstrating that environmental sustainability and economic progress can go hand in hand.

“We have a strong local economy, of which agriculture is an important component, and this council has had a part to play in enabling that.

“The Council consents big New Zealand industry like Fonterra and the Tiwai aluminium smelter and we were the first region to consent dairy farms some 20 years ago – enabling economic progress with environmental safeguards.

“We are proponents of non-regulatory activities, too, which we’ve implemented alongside RMA requirements. An example is the on-farm guidance we offer and our farm focus activity plans, which were first introduced 14 years ago, well ahead of today’s farm plan requirements.”

“This organisation began as an amalgamation of various boards, including the Catchment Board many years ago. As our community's needs and the direction of the central government have evolved, we have adapted and continued to provide essential services for our region, aligning with national standards and regulations. Changes proposed by recent announcements will once again showcase our ability to advocate for the best outcomes for Southland and that our community's voices are heard.”