National Development Bill

Press, 11 October 1979, Page 20

National Development Bill

Sir, — The National Development Bill being shoved through Parliament does not just streamline planning procedures; it makes it impossible for any project declared by the Minister to be “of national importance” to be stopped. Nuclear power plants, native forestry operations, dams, motorways, mining in National Parks, perhaps even nuclear weapon bases could then be imposed on us and much private land seized. Hearings are hasty, and with virtually no appeal. Two or three projects a year may qualify, Mr Brill has suggested; the bill is not just for the Maui project. This is a dangerous, arrogant and expensive power. Debate and discussion reveal defects. The reason for all our constitutional safeguards is that the Crown does not always know best. Why else have an Opposition? I fear that if people have ho constitutional means of making themselves heard on decisions made “on their behalf,” then they will turn to unconstitutional ones. — Yours, etc., D J. ROUND. October 9, 1979.

Sir, — The National Development Bill will virtually deny public participation in the planning of major developments affecting the future of New Zealand. This new bill will mean that a project which is seen by the Minister of National Development as being in the national interest will be exempt from all the present planning processes and controls. The Minister, under this bill, will have greater powers to decide what New Zealanders need. Can we trust any Government with such a responsibility? History suggests not. We need only remember the proposed South Island beech scheme and the Lake Manapouri project. It seems that the introduction of such a bill is an attempt by the Government to keep environmentalists and other concerned groups out of its hair and prevent them from thwarting or delaying proposed projects. This bill will allow them to have their say but ensures that their voices need not be listened to. — Yours, etc.,

S. MATURIN' October 8, 1979.