Labour promise to overhaul law on environment planning

Press, 30 April 1984, Page 2

Labour promise to overhaul law on environment planning

PA Wellington The Labour Party has promised to overhaul environmental planning legislation, so providing a “partnership between the government and the people.” The Leader of the Opposition, Mr Lange, said in an address to the party’s Auckland regional conference that:

© Labour would make it easier for applications under the Town and Country Planning Act, the Water and Soil Conservation Act, and the Clean Air Act to be considered at one hearing. • A Ministry for the Environment would be established, working through two divisions — planning and nature conservation. The Minister “should not hold incompatible portfolios.” • In a case of substantial public importance to New Zealand’s economic development, the Minister of National Development would be able to advise the tribunal to deal with it as a matter of priority.

• The Official Information Act would be reviewed to ensure that adequate economic and other information concerning big developments was publicly available. The Ministerial veto would go.

• Labour would “investigate the practicability of introducing a Conservation Corps to direct the talents and enthusiasm of our young people in particular towards sound environmental management.” © The National Development Act would be repealed, and there would be a comprehensive review of all planning and environmental legislation. Such legislation would bind the Crown. On the matter of considering applications at one hearing, Mr Lange said, “There is great advantage in having a set of combined hearings which are capable of getting to grips with as many issues as possible in a development project. “If all parties agree, the initial hearing before the

local authority will be dispensed with, leaving all matters to be considered by the Planning Tribunal.” That would be less unwieldy, quicker, cheaper, and allow greater public access to the planning process, said Mr Lange.

“The tribunal will be upgraded, its status increased, and its procedures improved. It will have enhanced powers, considering whether or not a planned development represents the best use of New Zealand’s resources,” he said. Mr Lange said that once the tribunal made a decision the government would not override that decision. “The tribunal will be able to summon expert advice at its own discretion, to better balance environmental and developmental interests. Also, conservation organisations will be entitled to apply for legal aid.” Mr Lange said this was a vastly different approach from planning procedures at present.