3. CHRIS AUCHINVOLE (National—West Coast - Tasman) Link to this
to the Minister for the Environment
What number of consents were processed outside of the statutory time frames as identified in the latest Ministry for the Environment report on the administration of the Resource Management Act; and how does this compare historically?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH (Minister for the Environment) Link to this
Over 16,000 resource consents—from homeowners, businesses, and farmers—were late last year, amounting to just over 31 percent. Compliance rates improved during the 1990s but have deteriorated in every report since 2000, with the worst ever level of non-compliance last year. These sorts of delays cost New Zealand heavily in jobs and investment. Improving productivity in this area is an important priority for the new Government.
Is the Minister aware that on top of the breaches of the statutory time frames in 31 percent of cases, the councils have dramatically increased their use of their powers to double their allowed time; if so, what steps does he intend to take to address this practice?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH Link to this
The member is quite correct: there has been a ninefold increase in extensions, which now affect 28 percent of resource consents. Some councils automatically grant themselves a doubling of time. The Government is working with the Local Government and Environment Committee to put some constraints on this practice, thereby limiting extensions for those consents that are particularly large or complex.
Amy AdamsIs the Minister aware of the delays in getting consents from Environment Canterbury for the Akaroa wastewater treatment plant, which has resulted in effluent polluting the harbour for years longer than necessary; and does he have particular concerns about Environment Canterbury?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH Link to this
Environment Canterbury scored 84th out of 84 authorities, with it breaking the law in 71 percent of consent applications. For notified discharge consents, such as that which the member notes, its compliance rate was an appalling 3 percent. I have written—[ Interruption] It is interesting that members opposite did nothing about it for 10 years. I have written a firm letter to Environment Canterbury, making plain that this non-compliance is not acceptable. I have also written to the other eight authorities that are breaking the law more often than they are complying.
Will the Minister consider using his powers under section 25 of the Resource Management Act to replace Environment Canterbury, given not just its rock-bottom performance in last year’s report but the fact that its performance had deteriorated from that described in the report 2 years earlier?
Hon Dr NICK SMITH Link to this
Environment Canterbury fairly notes that its performance is compromised by the particularly challenging issue in Canterbury around freshwater management, and central government needs to take a greater lead in providing better tools in that regard. However, I also note that Environment Canterbury’s performance is hopeless in all consent categories, for which there is no such excuse. I do not rule out using those powers, and await the response to my letter in which I have challenged the organisation to provide, within 60 days, a plan as to how it will fix this serious problem.