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Response to COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Bill
Feedback on the Government's proposed changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) to fast track consents to stimulate recovery following COVID-19.
19 May 2020
About this publication
In 2020 we wrote to Minister for the Environment David Parker to provide feedback on the COVID-19 Recovery (Fast-track Consenting) Bill, the Government's proposed changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) to fast track consents to stimulate recovery following COVID-19.
Our view was that the projects approved under the COVID-19 Recovery Bill must be consistent with the Climate Change Response Act. This means applying a climate change lens to all projects seeking approval. Our recovery must not create future problems that themselves may cause large public and private costs. We suggested any project that would lock in high emissions technology or systems and threaten our ability to meet our targets be declined.
We also urged the Government to be guided by the principles we proposed in April.