Energy Resources Aotearoa welcomes the prospect of new
planning legislation to replace the Resource Management Act,
reducing unnecessary red tape and streamlining
decision-making about where development can and should be
enabled while protecting the environment.
Chief
Executive John Carnegie says replacing the Resource
Management Act with a Planning Act and Natural Environment
Act will streamline consenting and provide confidence to
investors looking to invest in our natural resources and
build the thermal generation desperately needed to ensure a
secure, resilient and affordable energy system.
“It is
widely acknowledged that under the current settings, the
Resource Management Act is serving neither those who wish to
utilise our abundant natural resources nor those who wish to
protect them.”
We’re pleased to see the government
working from the basis that the clear allocation of property
rights is a fundamental tenet of a well-functioning economy.
This is critical to unlocking the investment we need to
thrive and grow.
It is crucial that the new proposed
frameworks minimise blurred edges with other legislative
frameworks, such as the Crown Minerals Act and the Climate
Change Response Act.”
Carnegie says it is great to see
steps taken to improve decision-making by focusing on
evidence-based outcomes.
“New Zealand can’t afford
to keep being a nation that says no – and as we’ve
consistently said, we need a fuel and technology agnostic
resource management system that enables access to develop
our natural resources.”
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Carnegie says Energy Resources
Aotearoa will input into policy detail to ensure all fuel
and technology types are considered before the two new Acts
are introduced into the House by the end of this
year.
“We look forward to working collaboratively with
the Government to ensure the new settings reflect the urgent
need to encourage the development of natural gas and its use
by our exporters and power sector that we so badly need to
keep the lights
on.”
