Resource guidelines ‘gratifying’

Press, 20 December 1988, Page 16

Resource guidelines ‘gratifying’

By

JANE DUNBAR

The Government’s new guidelines for resource management have been welcomed by the New Zealand Planning Institute.

“The Government has, against many odds, picked up the planning approach as the basis of resource and environmental administration,” said the institute’s president, Mr John Childs. The needs of future generations, the idea of sustainable development, economic and social factors, public welfare and individual rights had all been taken into account, he said.

It was gratifying so many aspects would be part of resource management decision-making.

The institute was pleased that the advan-

tages and disadvantages of any proposed development would be considered in relation to the surrounding areas as well as the national interest.

Other matters, such as coastal management, identification of national significance, and the role of Maoris, needed more work, said Mr Childs.

The Government’s proposal for the reform of New Zealand’s resource management laws was released last week. Submissions are invited on the report until February 22. The report clearly es-

tablished a set of responsibilities for each level of government, said the Minister for the Environment, Mr Palmer.

The allocation of minerals and energy would remain with central Government, he said.

The Minister of Conservation would retain the consent for mining access to conservation land. This would be subject to appeal to the Planning Tribunal, as with any other application for land use.

The report suggests setting up a national Environmental Protection

Agency to set standards and provide advice on pollution and hazardous substances.

It also encourages an active involvement of tribal authorities in resource planning, through representation on local and regional authorities. Mr Palmer said legislation would be drafted after submissions on the report had been received. The new law should be in place by the end of next year so the new units of local government could be sure about their resource management functions.