Guy welcomes improvements in processing resource consents
Otaki MP Nathan Guy has congratulated local councils for processing more resource consents on time over the last two years.
“Late resource consents and delays are a big frustration for homeowners and businesses, and a handbrake on the economy. Our local councils have made big improvements in approving consents on time.”
From 2007/08 to 2010/11 Horowhenua District Council has improved from 60% to 98%, while Horizons Regional Council has increased 74% to 98%.
Kapiti Coast District Council has remained a high achiever, going from 99% to 93%.
The figures were included in the 2011 Report on Local Authorities administration of the Resource Management Act released by Environment Minister Nick Smith.
“National’s reforms to simplify and streamline the RMA are making a real difference. Councils now face financial penalties for not doing the job on time.
“Under the previous Labour Government, local councils were breaking the legal timelines or extending timeframes for more than half of all applications. 95% of consents are processed on time now, compared to just 69% in 2007/08.
“New development is crucial to economic growth in Kapiti and Horowhenua. Cutting red tape is an important tool in lifting productivity and creating new jobs.
“We’ve already seen this locally with the Environmental Protection Agency creating a Board of Inquiry to consider the Transmission Gully project. This will take around nine months, whereas under the previous rules it would have taken many years,” says Mr Guy.
“Late resource consents and delays are a big frustration for homeowners and businesses, and a handbrake on the economy. Our local councils have made big improvements in approving consents on time.”
From 2007/08 to 2010/11 Horowhenua District Council has improved from 60% to 98%, while Horizons Regional Council has increased 74% to 98%.
Kapiti Coast District Council has remained a high achiever, going from 99% to 93%.
The figures were included in the 2011 Report on Local Authorities administration of the Resource Management Act released by Environment Minister Nick Smith.
“National’s reforms to simplify and streamline the RMA are making a real difference. Councils now face financial penalties for not doing the job on time.
“Under the previous Labour Government, local councils were breaking the legal timelines or extending timeframes for more than half of all applications. 95% of consents are processed on time now, compared to just 69% in 2007/08.
“New development is crucial to economic growth in Kapiti and Horowhenua. Cutting red tape is an important tool in lifting productivity and creating new jobs.
“We’ve already seen this locally with the Environmental Protection Agency creating a Board of Inquiry to consider the Transmission Gully project. This will take around nine months, whereas under the previous rules it would have taken many years,” says Mr Guy.