Latest news with #NationalPolicyStatement
RTÉ News
25-06-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Concrete industry warns of quarry materials shortfall
The concrete industry has warned Ireland is facing a significant shortfall of materials such as stone, sand and gravel in future years because quarries are not being granted sufficient planning permissions. The Irish Concrete Federation said the delivery of the Government's housing targets and major infrastructure projects are highly dependent on reliable supplies. A study by engineering consultancy firm RPS for the Irish Concrete Federation, found the replenishment rates of quarries is running at 61% of the annual consumption. The study found planning permission was refused for more than half of the volume of proposed extraction of sand, stone and gravel in greater Dublin between 2017 and last year. It also highlighted delays obtaining planning to extend quarries or get permission for new sites. It said: "During 2023, planning cases for aggregates (when subject to an appeal) were spending on average 146 weeks (33 months) in the planning process, almost five times the statutory objective period." The report said there is "an urgent need for a National Policy Statement by the Irish Government to facilitate the long-term sustainable supply of essential aggregate materials". It said the statement should explicitly recognise that stone, sand and gravel are a "strategic national resource", essential for the future development of Ireland and fundamental to meeting societal needs. The RPS report said a typical new 3-bed semi-detached home requires approximately 300 tonnes of aggregates for construction, including foundations, floors, walls and roof tiles with larger houses requiring substantially more. The report said: "A continued depletion of aggregate reserves in the Greater Dublin Area will eventually lead to increased haulage of large volumes of aggregates over longer distances from quarries located outside the region, thereby increasing fuel consumption, costs and greenhouse gas emissions." Commenting on the report, Oisín Coghlan, a spokesman for the Environmental Pillar, said: "There is a new planning regulator An Coimisiún Pleanála. There is no reason why any one industry should get a pass or prioritisation. "There is a lot the industry can do, the national and EU drive is towards less concrete per square foot, more efficiency less pollution and more recycled materials which we aren't using as much of in Ireland."
Scoop
12-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Government Backs Voluntary Nature Credits
Press Release – New Zealand Government The development of a nature credit market is important to investors and New Zealands reputation. Associate Minister for the Environment The Government is supporting the expansion of a voluntary credits nature market through the running of pilot projects across New Zealand. Establishing a market that is durable, measurable and transparent will help farmers, landowners, iwi, and conservation groups unlock new income streams for looking after nature on their land, Associate Minister for the Environment Andrew Hoggard announced today at Fieldays. 'We want to connect those caring for the land with investors who support conservation. Nature credit markets help fund trusted environmental projects that actively protect and restore ecosystems.' Mr Hoggard said international and domestic investors—including corporates, banks, and philanthropists—are seeking high-quality nature and carbon credits that meet global standards. The development of a nature credit market is important to investors and New Zealand's reputation. 'New Zealand companies spent millions on carbon and nature credits mainly offshore last year. With the right framework, we can keep more of that investment at home.' The Government moved quickly to repeal the previous Government's direction to Councils to identify and map Significant Natural Areas (SNA) by suspending parts of the National Policy Statement – Indigenous Biodiversity. 'Farmers and other private landowners are doing their part to protect native biodiversity and want to do more. Supporting voluntary natural credits markets is a chance for the Government to show them the carrot, not just the stick. Privately funded pilot projects are underway to test how nature credit markets can work in the New Zealand context. As part of these pilots, we will test the role for Government which may include setting principles, and a framework for standards, to build market confidence and ensure quality.' Further details on the Government's role and the design of the expanded market will be announced in the coming months. Information about voluntary nature credits market pilots The pilots represent different land conditions, locations, types of market participants, and activities. They will help the Government understand how to meet the high standards of international markets, the role of Government, and what works best in New Zealand. This real-life experience will provide valuable insights as we move to the next stage of market design. Te Toa Whenua Northland, led by Reconnecting Northland. Transitioning around 100 ha from exotic forestry to native including pest control on iwi-owned land. Waituna Nature Credits Prototype Southland, led by Whakamana te Waituna Charitable Trust (Awarua Rūnunga, Ngai Tahu, Fonterra, Southland District Council, Environment Southland, and Department of Conservation). Restoring 400 ha of farmland at lagoon margins to lowland forest & wetlands (RAMSAR protected site). Waimanu Forest Gisborne Led by Aratu Forests. Converting a commercial forestry block to 50 ha of natives for biodiversity uplift and increased recreational and educational values. Scope to expand to up to 5,000 ha. Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari insights Waikato, led by Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari. Observing the current process of issuing credits for conservation and protection activities within the 3,360 ha inland ecological sanctuary. Existing Biodiversity Credits Market (BCM) project standard insights Led by Ekos. Offering market insights from an existing BCM provider. Includes understanding the journey of Reconnecting Northland's proof-of-concept project through this process. Adapted nature credits international standards Led by Boffa Miskell. Testing at-place an additional NZ BCM project standard that is adapting UK methodology to NZ environments as a competitor to domestic or international project standard/certification providers. Voluntary carbon market standard with biodiversity safeguards insights Led by AsureQuality. Testing its carbon project standard, which requires native revegetation, designed to be more applicable and affordable for the New Zealand context. Nature positive credit programme pilot Led by Silver Fern Farms. Testing a processor-led programme for market attraction, and potentially third-party investment, in on-farm nature restoration and enhancement activities that support commercial 'nature positive' claims. Nature-based markets pilots for rural landowners Led by Pāmu Farms. Exploring pathways to make nature-based markets accessible to a range of New Zealand farmers and landholders.
Scoop
12-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Government Backs Voluntary Nature Credits
Press Release – New Zealand Government The development of a nature credit market is important to investors and New Zealands reputation. Associate Minister for the Environment The Government is supporting the expansion of a voluntary credits nature market through the running of pilot projects across New Zealand. Establishing a market that is durable, measurable and transparent will help farmers, landowners, iwi, and conservation groups unlock new income streams for looking after nature on their land, Associate Minister for the Environment Andrew Hoggard announced today at Fieldays. 'We want to connect those caring for the land with investors who support conservation. Nature credit markets help fund trusted environmental projects that actively protect and restore ecosystems.' Mr Hoggard said international and domestic investors—including corporates, banks, and philanthropists—are seeking high-quality nature and carbon credits that meet global standards. The development of a nature credit market is important to investors and New Zealand's reputation. 'New Zealand companies spent millions on carbon and nature credits mainly offshore last year. With the right framework, we can keep more of that investment at home.' The Government moved quickly to repeal the previous Government's direction to Councils to identify and map Significant Natural Areas (SNA) by suspending parts of the National Policy Statement – Indigenous Biodiversity. 'Farmers and other private landowners are doing their part to protect native biodiversity and want to do more. Supporting voluntary natural credits markets is a chance for the Government to show them the carrot, not just the stick. Privately funded pilot projects are underway to test how nature credit markets can work in the New Zealand context. As part of these pilots, we will test the role for Government which may include setting principles, and a framework for standards, to build market confidence and ensure quality.' Further details on the Government's role and the design of the expanded market will be announced in the coming months. Information about voluntary nature credits market pilots The pilots represent different land conditions, locations, types of market participants, and activities. They will help the Government understand how to meet the high standards of international markets, the role of Government, and what works best in New Zealand. This real-life experience will provide valuable insights as we move to the next stage of market design. Te Toa Whenua Northland, led by Reconnecting Northland. Transitioning around 100 ha from exotic forestry to native including pest control on iwi-owned land. Waituna Nature Credits Prototype Southland, led by Whakamana te Waituna Charitable Trust (Awarua Rūnunga, Ngai Tahu, Fonterra, Southland District Council, Environment Southland, and Department of Conservation). Restoring 400 ha of farmland at lagoon margins to lowland forest & wetlands (RAMSAR protected site). Waimanu Forest Gisborne Led by Aratu Forests. Converting a commercial forestry block to 50 ha of natives for biodiversity uplift and increased recreational and educational values. Scope to expand to up to 5,000 ha. Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari insights Waikato, led by Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari. Observing the current process of issuing credits for conservation and protection activities within the 3,360 ha inland ecological sanctuary. Existing Biodiversity Credits Market (BCM) project standard insights Led by Ekos. Offering market insights from an existing BCM provider. Includes understanding the journey of Reconnecting Northland's proof-of-concept project through this process. Adapted nature credits international standards Led by Boffa Miskell. Testing at-place an additional NZ BCM project standard that is adapting UK methodology to NZ environments as a competitor to domestic or international project standard/certification providers. Voluntary carbon market standard with biodiversity safeguards insights Led by AsureQuality. Testing its carbon project standard, which requires native revegetation, designed to be more applicable and affordable for the New Zealand context. Nature positive credit programme pilot Led by Silver Fern Farms. Testing a processor-led programme for market attraction, and potentially third-party investment, in on-farm nature restoration and enhancement activities that support commercial 'nature positive' claims. Nature-based markets pilots for rural landowners Led by Pāmu Farms. Exploring pathways to make nature-based markets accessible to a range of New Zealand farmers and landholders.
Scoop
12-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Government Backs Voluntary Nature Credits
The Government is supporting the expansion of a voluntary credits nature market through the running of pilot projects across New Zealand. Establishing a market that is durable, measurable and transparent will help farmers, landowners, iwi, and conservation groups unlock new income streams for looking after nature on their land, Associate Minister for the Environment Andrew Hoggard announced today at Fieldays. 'We want to connect those caring for the land with investors who support conservation. Nature credit markets help fund trusted environmental projects that actively protect and restore ecosystems.' Mr Hoggard said international and domestic investors—including corporates, banks, and philanthropists—are seeking high-quality nature and carbon credits that meet global standards. The development of a nature credit market is important to investors and New Zealand's reputation. 'New Zealand companies spent millions on carbon and nature credits mainly offshore last year. With the right framework, we can keep more of that investment at home.' The Government moved quickly to repeal the previous Government's direction to Councils to identify and map Significant Natural Areas (SNA) by suspending parts of the National Policy Statement - Indigenous Biodiversity. 'Farmers and other private landowners are doing their part to protect native biodiversity and want to do more. Supporting voluntary natural credits markets is a chance for the Government to show them the carrot, not just the stick. Privately funded pilot projects are underway to test how nature credit markets can work in the New Zealand context. As part of these pilots, we will test the role for Government which may include setting principles, and a framework for standards, to build market confidence and ensure quality.' Further details on the Government's role and the design of the expanded market will be announced in the coming months. Information about voluntary nature credits market pilots The pilots represent different land conditions, locations, types of market participants, and activities. They will help the Government understand how to meet the high standards of international markets, the role of Government, and what works best in New Zealand. This real-life experience will provide valuable insights as we move to the next stage of market design. Te Toa Whenua Northland, led by Reconnecting Northland. Transitioning around 100 ha from exotic forestry to native including pest control on iwi-owned land. Waituna Nature Credits Prototype Southland, led by Whakamana te Waituna Charitable Trust (Awarua Rūnunga, Ngai Tahu, Fonterra, Southland District Council, Environment Southland, and Department of Conservation). Restoring 400 ha of farmland at lagoon margins to lowland forest & wetlands (RAMSAR protected site). Waimanu Forest Gisborne Led by Aratu Forests. Converting a commercial forestry block to 50 ha of natives for biodiversity uplift and increased recreational and educational values. Scope to expand to up to 5,000 ha. Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari insights Waikato, led by Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari. Observing the current process of issuing credits for conservation and protection activities within the 3,360 ha inland ecological sanctuary. Existing Biodiversity Credits Market (BCM) project standard insights Led by Ekos. Offering market insights from an existing BCM provider. Includes understanding the journey of Reconnecting Northland's proof-of-concept project through this process. Adapted nature credits international standards Led by Boffa Miskell. Testing at-place an additional NZ BCM project standard that is adapting UK methodology to NZ environments as a competitor to domestic or international project standard/certification providers. Voluntary carbon market standard with biodiversity safeguards insights Led by AsureQuality. Testing its carbon project standard, which requires native revegetation, designed to be more applicable and affordable for the New Zealand context. Nature positive credit programme pilot Led by Silver Fern Farms. Testing a processor-led programme for market attraction, and potentially third-party investment, in on-farm nature restoration and enhancement activities that support commercial 'nature positive' claims. Nature-based markets pilots for rural landowners Led by Pāmu Farms. Exploring pathways to make nature-based markets accessible to a range of New Zealand farmers and landholders.
1News
06-06-2025
- Politics
- 1News
'Intensification on steroids': Nelson housing plan rejected
Nelson's ability to provide enough homes over the next 30 years is now uncertain after the city council's housing density plans were largely rejected. For almost two years, Nelson City Council has been working on Plan Change 29 – a controversial overhaul of its planning rules to make it easier to build high-density housing across the city. But many of the council's goals have since fallen over after the hearing panel that oversaw the process recommended that most of the plan change's proposals be rejected. Nelson's elected members accepted the panel's recommendation today which saw many elements of the plan formally scrapped. Opposition to the plan was widespread and vocal as submitters sought to protect their sunlight access, and councillors' commentaries often declared the result a win for residents. ADVERTISEMENT Mayor Nick Smith said the council had overreached by proposing "intensification on steroids". (Source: LDR / Max Frethey) Mayor Nick Smith described the plan as 'intensification on steroids' and said the council needed to learn from the 'strong kickback' from the public and engage earlier with the community in the future. Included in the scrapped measures were residential zones and overlays that would have allowed buildings of up to six storeys to be built on some sites without a resource consent. The changes that weren't rejected will focus intensification in the inner city and city fringe, and most natural hazard provisions were also kept. Councillor Pete Rainey said the changes for the central city were a 'really positive step in the right direction' but added that 'the issues facing the city are not going to go away. We need to do something about them'. More than 1200 households in need of affordable housing – survey The council's original proposal was deeply unpopular, with hundreds gathering to oppose the plan in September 2023. (Source: LDR / Max Frethey) ADVERTISEMENT A recent Nelson Tasman Housing Trust survey showed that 1222 households in the region were currently in need of affordable housing. Under the council's revised planning rules which have now largely been rejected, the number of commercially feasible dwellings over the next 30 years was expected to climb by 23,450 for attached homes and 6825 for detached dwellings. But the current planning rules only enabled 6500 attached and 3175 detached dwellings over the same period. Now that most of the new rules have been rejected, council staff were unsure how many extra dwellings would be feasible. Even though the changes for the inner city and city fringe were approved, they're only expected to provide 'relatively modest' boost for capacity. Housing demand was still expected to be met until 2027, but council staff were uncertain if the limited changes agreed to today would be able to meet Nelson's housing need over the next 30 years. The council had originally proposed the planning changes to adequately cater for growth as required by the 2020 National Policy Statement on Urban Development. ADVERTISEMENT However, the hearing panel's recommendation to reject large parts of the council's plan change essentially boiled down to the proposal not adequately considering urban form and amenity value provisions that were outlined in the council's own 1997 regional policy statement. That determination from the panel would be embarrassing for the council as it had paused work on updating its regional policy statement in 2021, which had been drafted and would have likely allowed many of the intensification proposals to go ahead. The pause was attributed to ongoing uncertainty from central government about Resource Management Act reform. Not the end of intensification Deputy mayor Rohan O'Neill-Stevens said the city's intensification didn't end with the Plan Change 29 process. (Source: LDR / Max Frethey ) Several councillors said the fault lay with the elected members of the current and previous councils who pushed on with the process despite the uncertainty. Smith added that the process had shown the 'fundamental problem' of the Resource Management Act, which needed to be reformed. ADVERTISEMENT 'Despite hundreds of thousands of dollars in investment, and some of the very best experts in the RMA… we've been tripped up by provisions that date back to 1997.' But despite the hurdles, elected members were clear that today's rejection of these specific higher-density zones was not the end of intensification in Nelson. The region's future development strategy expects about 78% of Nelson's long-term growth to be accommodated by intensification. 'We need to engage strongly with our community to shape future work, whilst acknowledging that status quo is not a static option,' said deputy mayor Rohan O'Neill-Stevens. 'Together, we can find a way forward that we can all be proud of.' The decisions are expected to be formally notified to the public on Tuesday, starting a 30-working day period where appeals can be lodged to the Environment Court. Approved changes: ADVERTISEMENT Increased building heights and revised development standards for the inner city and city fringe to enable greater residential and commercial development Updated flood, fault, and liquefaction hazard overlays and associated rules New provisions allowing papakāinga development within the inner city and suburban commercial zones Amended provisions for the Manuka St hospital site to provide opportunities to enable the on-going operation of the facility Rezoning of the St Vincent and Vanguard St industrial area from industrial to inner city fringe to allow more diverse and intensive land uses in this key location. Rejected changes: The general, medium, and high-density residential zones and their related rules for housing development Increased building heights in suburban commercial areas Most heritage changes, including the removal of the Church Hill view shaft The state highway noise overlay The slope hazard overlays and its associated rules. Local Democracy Reporting is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
