The Natural and Built Environment Bill and the Spatial Planning Bill

The Natural and Built Environment Bill and the Spatial Planning Bills

Water NZ welcomed the opportunity to provide a submission on the Natural and Built Environments Bill (NBEB) and the Strategic Planning Bill (SPB). Our submissions on both Bills are covered in this one document.

Water NZ generally supports the objectives of the review of the resource management regime. We want to see a system that is efficient, simple, cost-effective and gives effect to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. To ensure the best outcomes for the water industry, whilst ensuring the future planning regime is the best it can be and to allow efficient and effective management of water services in Aotearoa, our recommendations included -

Climate change is not recognised strongly enough in the bills.

How does Te Mana o Te Wai integrate with biophysical limits?

The legislation needs to integrate decision-making across several Acts.

Resourcing and timing transition to the new system will be critical.

Funding, resourcing and timing of spatial strategies is essential.

10-year maximum duration resource consents will have significant impacts.