Last week, the Government announced an amendment to the Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Bill (not yet enacted), that would suspend “in progress” and future plan and regional policy statement reviews under the Resource Management Act 1991.
The intention is to enable councils to reallocate resources in preparation for the upcoming planning system, which will be introduced in Phase Three of the RMA reforms through two new Acts: one focused on land-use planning and the other on the natural environment.
Proposed changes include:
- Suspending the requirement for councils to undertake 10-year reviews
- Suspending the requirement for councils to implement the National Planning Standards
- An extension of the restriction on notifying freshwater planning instruments for a further two years to 31 December 2027
The Government has confirmed that councils will still be able to progress planning initiatives that align with key national priorities, including housing supply, intensification, and urban development. Other exemptions do exist, with councils also being able to apply to the Minister for the Environment for an exemption to continue or notify a new plan change.
The Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Bill is expected to become law before the end of 2025. Once enacted, councils will be required to withdraw plan reviews and changes that have not started hearings as soon as possible and within 90 days.
Property Council welcomes this announcement. By stopping planning processes that may soon be superseded, this will help to reduce transitional uncertainty and avoid investment in plans that may not align with the future system.
To read the full Government announcement and Plan Stop fact sheet, click here.
Author | Katherine Wilson
As Property Council’s Head of Advocacy, Katherine is tasked with leading our advocacy campaigns at both a regional and national level.
Level-headed and engaging, Katherine has both a law degree from Otago University and an arts degree (majoring in politics) from Auckland University. With solid experience as a policy analyst and advisor in Wellington and Auckland, she has extensive networks and solid analytical skills.
Katherine is hugely dedicated, highly intelligent and committed to ensuring the voice of our members is heard at all levels of governance. She’s also relentlessly positive and enjoys a good chat.
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