Latest news with #Bishop
Scoop
2 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Council Pushes Ahead With Changes Despite Government's ‘Plan-Stop' Policy
Marlborough's council will charge ahead with changes aimed at airline safety, despite the Government pushing pause on plan amendments. The district council's environment plan changes aim to ensure buildings or objects that could compromise aircraft safety could not be built close to Marlborough's three airports. Resource Management Act (RMA) reform minister Chris Bishop announced on Wednesday the Government wants to stop councils from passing amendments to environment and land use plans. Councils should not be wasting resources on making changes to plans under the RMA, ahead of major reforms expected in 2027, he said. 'Even though councils know the RMA's days are numbered, many are required to continue with time-consuming, expensive plan-making processes under the RMA,' Bishop said. 'The Government's intention is that stopping plan requirements for councils will enable them to focus on critical work to prepare to transition to the new system.' Councils would be required to withdraw any planned changes that had not progressed to hearings within 90 days of the RMA Amendment Bill coming into effect in early August. The Marlborough District Council environment and planning committee unanimously voted to prepare a change to their Proposed Marlborough Environment Plan on Thursday, 24 hours after Bishop's announcement. Council strategic planner Clementine Rankin said the planned change would ensure buildings or objects that could compromise aircraft safety could not be built within the vicinity of Marlborough's three airports. 'For safety purposes, it's critical to provide protection for air corridors used in approaches to, and departures from, our airports,' Rankin said. 'It is a civil aviation safety issue when structures like buildings or frost fans penetrate into [air corridors].' Visual and structural objects that penetrated into an airport's approach air space were already prohibited under Civil Aviation Authority rules. But the council could not legally deny resource consents for people who wanted to build those objects without a change to the Proposed Marlborough Environment Plan. Rankin said there were recently constructed frost fans that had become a safety risk. 'This issue has occurred due to the focus [in rural zoning] on noise only. 'The controlled activity rule does not include an airport protection standard.' Rankin said that the council would move forward with the plan change, despite Bishop's announcement, and would ask the Environment Minister for an exemption if they had to. Only private plan changes, natural hazard changes, and changes directed by the minister were automatically exempt. All other exemptions had to be requested from the minister within three months of the policy becoming law. Councillor David Croad greeted the announcement with a shake of his head, calling it 'disingenuous'. 'I don't often participate in politics, but yesterday's plan-stop thing, [saying] 'we're stopping that because we want to save ratepayers' money', it's a little bit disingenuous in my opinion,' Croad said. 'Ultimately it implies that the staff that we have in our planning departments are going to go home and go off payroll for a period of time. 'We have great people in this building and it takes a while to build good teams. 'We just don't get to turn these things on and off at will.'
The Spinoff
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Spinoff
The tension between central and local government bubbles to the surface
Local government says it needs certainty from central government beyond election cycles. Central government says local government is wasting money on unnecessary projects. Who's right? Simon Watts, minister for local government, has kids. He's learned that when you give them a full day free to do whatever they want, they might 'make some bad choices'. But give them five options, and they can pick the one they want to do. He's on stage at SuperLocal, Local Government New Zealand's annual conference in Christchurch, answering a question about the government's move to stop 'wellbeing' and 'the environment' being part of councils' remit. 'People don't have an appetite for nice-to-haves,' he says. 'You weren't elected to make easy decisions, you were elected to make difficult decisions. The best thing I can do is to help you on that journey.' Broadcaster Miriama Kamo, hosting the discussion, pointed out that some local government members might not appreciate the metaphor. 'That's a bit patronising, mate,' someone yelled from the audience. At SuperLocal, the tension between central government and local government is nearly palpable. A brief, videoed address from Christopher Luxon is met with about three people applauding. With RMA reform and a potential rates cap on the agenda, the government is saying that councils are spending too much money on unnecessary projects. Councils are saying that actually, they are focusing on basics – and ever-changing directions from central government is a waste of their resources. Chris Bishop, the minister for RMA reform, addressed attendees at a plenary session. 'Ratepayers don't care what Greenstar rating your new council facilities have or whether some international architectural body thinks your latest build is pretty or not. The only awards your projects should be winning are for cost efficiency and effectiveness,' he said. There was an audible groan somewhere in the room. He kept going, talking fast to get through his speech, saying that councils needed to be better at planning for housing growth and that the government needed to make this easier. He promised two bills by November: one to replace the development contributions system so that developers pay more for infrastructure their new housing will require, and another to fund infrastructure development. Bishop's key announcement was also aimed at council efficiency: with whatever replaces the RMA on the way, he is removing (in most cases) the requirement for councils to take the RMA into account when making their plans. 'Plans completed under the RMA may be incompatible with the new system,' he said. Most plan changes will have to wait until the new system is in place, although particularly urgent changes, or changes related to Treaty settlements or natural hazards, will be exempt. 'Minister Bishop's announcements today were really good for local government to hear, with some certainty about where the RMA is going, [and] the timeframes around when we're going to hear further announcements,' said Sam Broughton, Selwyn District mayor and president of Local Government New Zealand, at a press conference afterwards. On the whole, though, local government is frustrated, because they feel that they're not using their budgets on 'nice to haves'. 'If I use my council as an example, 80% of our spend is on water pipes, wastewater pipes and transport systems. So the other 20%, you've got to include your recycling, your rubbish, your pools, the things that actually communities still think are essential.' To Broughton, and local government in general, changing directives from central government make it hard to plan long term, making councils more inefficient and wasting resources. 'Every time we have an election, there's a flip-flop, and it's just a distraction from us getting on with the work,' he said. One government wants wellbeing and environment to be part of plans; the next doesn't. One government wants to overhaul the RMA in one way; the next wants to overhaul the RMA in another way. 'We need ways of doing things so changes of government don't rip up previous governments' work – a pipeline of work that is agreed cross-party,' Broughton said. To prevent what he sees as wasteful council spending, the government is investigating legislation that would cap how much rates can rise, said Watts. 'It has to achieve the outcome that we're looking for.' The giant Taxpayers' Union truck parked outside the Te Pae conference centre emblazoned with pictures of mayors and how much rates have increased in their regions is a reminder of vested interests in this issue. But linking rates to household inflation doesn't make sense, Broughton said; much of what councils spend money on isn't in the CPI basket. 'Rates capping itself is actually a discussion about who makes decisions locally about what's delivered. Is it central government? Is it more power to Wellington?' Broughton said, mentioning that New Zealand is one of the most centralised countries in the OECD, with central government controlling the vast majority of government spending. Part of Wednesday's conference session was the release of an LGNZ-commissioned report quantifying local government's economic contributions: $20.1 billion operational and capital expenditure, $2.2bn in public administration and $500 million in long-term productivity gains. 'There's some basic things that councils have to get involved in because central government isn't stepping up to fit the needs of local communities,' said Broughton. His council is funding a health centre, because many people in Selwyn have to leave the district to go to the doctor. While there's certainly tension between central and local government, there's also a desire to get things done. Broughton was asked about Simon Watts' 'kids' comment at the stand-up. 'I think people like to play politics around language,' he said. 'But Minister Watts has also said he wants a situation where we sit around the table as adults. Councils get elected locally to think about what's in the best interest of their local community. And that is really hard work that requires mature minds.'
NZ Herald
3 days ago
- Business
- NZ Herald
Northland orca expert: Reject Waipiro Bay marina fast-tracking
It would span the equivalent of about 17 rugby fields, with dredging up to 3m deep removing the equivalent of about 21,000 twenty tonne truckloads of seabed. Dredgings will be made into mudcrete to help reclaim the equivalent of about six rugby fields of the area for carparks and shops. The marina design notably includes 14 super-sized 50m boat berths, for which no potential price range has been indicated in economic reports supporting the application. The applicant's economist estimates 30m berths could sell for up to $1.2 million. A spokesperson for Heatley's Azuma Properties and Hopper's Hopper Developments said they were taking a cautious approach regarding wildlife impacts Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop Bishop is considering whether to allow the developers to apply for fast-tracked consenting via an expert panel. A spokesperson for Bishop would not confirm a decision date, stating only that 'advice to inform a decision is expected shortly'. In response to Visser's orca concerns, Bishop's spokesperson said he was able to make an assessment based on feedback from a range of people including locals, the Minister for the Environment, other relevant ministers, local authorities and Māori groups. If referred, the developers can submit a more detailed application, which the spokesperson said would be subject to Environmental Protection Authority checks. Bishop's spokesperson said fast-tracking cut through the 'thicket of red and green tape and the jumble of approvals processes that has, until now held NZ back from much-needed economic growth while still protecting the environment'. Meanwhile the developers' spokesperson said the marina aimed to enhance boating access and services for the eastern Bay of Islands, while contributing to the local economy and community. 'We know how important it is to approach this kind of development with care - especially in a coastal environment like Waipiro Bay. 'Hoppers and Azuma are committed to responsible development and have a strong track record of delivering high-quality marine projects,' the spokesperson said. Visser has written to Bishop outlining her concerns, saying the marina should instead go through the standard Resource Management Act (RMA) process so community views can be properly considered. Her stance aligns with Far North Mayor Moko Tepania, who recently said the RMA allows people to have their say. Visser said the fast-track application 'underplayed' the long-term and irreversible environmental changes that would severely affect orcas and dolphins. She also challenged the application's claim that the marina would not adversely alter marine mammal habitats. Waipiro Bay marina could not be viewed in isolation from other coastal developments across NZ, she said. 'People think of it like it's just a single marina, but that's not the case.' Visser said orcas travelled 100–150 km a day along the coastline. 'They live as long as humans do. Think about how much coastal development we've seen in our lifetimes, and you'll understand what orca are facing. There's a cumulative impact.' Visser said the proposed Waipiro Bay marina would permanently destroy a nationally important area for NZ's fewer than 200 orca, which are ranked as 'nationally critical' — the Government's highest threat level. She said orca needed relatively undeveloped places to rest, socialise, raise young and feed. Developers are seeking the option of fast-track consenting to develop a $100 million-plus marina to the left of the yachts moored in the foreground Waipiro Bay. Waipiro Bay was one of those key places, making it significant in an increasingly crowded marine environment. Visser said the wider Bay of Islands, including Waipiro Bay, was declared a marine mammal sanctuary in November 2021. The sanctuary restricts human and boating interaction within 300 metres of marine mammals. Visser said the marina's public boat ramp would dramatically increase vessel traffic in Waipiro Bay and surrounding areas, raising the risk of harmful boat interactions including boat strike which she had already documented in the Bay of Islands. Dr Ingrid Visser's decades of work looing out for orcas was regonsied with a Kiwibank Local hero of the Year Award in 2024 However, the developers' spokesperson said orca pods successfully navigated Whangārei Harbour's Marsden Cove marina, another Hopper development. Orca often hunted stingray there, offering onlookers memorable experiences. 'Their presence and co-habitation is something we value,' the spokesperson said. The developers reiterated that Waipiro Bay marina was designed to be functional and beneficial to the local community and economy. ■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Mixed reaction to planning halt
A Dunedin city councillor says her blood "runs cold" at the government's decision to halt council planning work ahead of an overhaul of resource management laws. However, some elected representatives across Otago are welcoming the changes and Dunedin's mayor says he sees an opportunity. Changes to council planning were announced yesterday at a Local Government New Zealand conference by the Minister Responsible for Resource Management Act (RMA) reform, Chris Bishop. The government would stop "unnecessary" plan changes — suspending requirements for councils to review plans or implement national planning standards. They would be unable to notify new plan or policy statements or changes to them unless they met certain exemption criteria. Mr Bishop said councils were spending too much time on plan processes which would likely be incomplete or "largely wasted" under the government's RMA replacement — expected to be in place by 2027. Dunedin city councillor Sophie Barker said she was concerned the government was "riding roughshod" over the wishes of local communities. "This is a government that preached localism as important, then looks to be taking our planning decisions out of our hands, and that of our communities. "When I see rhetoric like ... Mr Bishop's speech my blood does run cold." Cr Lee Vandervis said the RMA changes would save council time and money and allow staff to be involved in more productive local work. "The less work we have to do for central government and [Otago Regional Council] compliance, the more we can concentrate on making Dunedin resilient and self-sufficient." Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich viewed the situation as an opportunity. "This could be the ideal time to drive higher growth in Dunedin based on lower costs, more jobs and higher income," he said. Cr Steve Walker said the "Americanisation of New Zealand politics by this coalition government is leading us to a place most reasonable New Zealanders don't want to go". Cr Carmen Houlahan said most people at the conference "aren't that impressed" with the "massive" changes planned for local government. Also at the conference was Clutha District Mayor Bryan Cadogan, who said local government delegates were "underwhelmed" by Mr Bishop's speech. "We're getting used to the contempt shown by this government now, as this is the second year we've had much the same approach from ministers. "I think one person may accidentally have clapped." Mr Cadogan said it brought more "unrealistic pressure" on councils. "It's pretty hard going when you're all, as councils, faced with mounting costs, huge rate rises and then there's strong conversation around rates capping." Otago regional councillor Michael Laws described local government as a "make-work scheme". "It's a whole series of people with vision statements, policy and plans and agendas that really just create work for themselves ... and impede in the most negative way on the daily lives of us all." The government's response to local and regional council bureaucrats and "ineffectual governors" was deserved, he said. Cr Laws said his reading of Mr Bishop's speech was all the regional council's work under way on plans and policy statements would have to stop and this would include the regional policy statement in mediation. There would be a full briefing at the council today on the situation, he said. Yesterday, the Otago Daily Times asked councils across the South what they made of the announcement. Most said it was too early to make a detailed comment on the announcement and they would take time to consider how it would affect their operations. Several were unable respond to the ODT's questions before deadline. —Additional reporting APL staff
Scoop
3 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
Ray Chung's Email About Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau ‘Absolutely Disgraceful'
Article – RNZ Wellington-based MPs condemn the councillor's email about the mayor and say they feel 'embarrassed' to be from the Capital. Wellington-based MPs have roundly condemned councillor Ray Chung's email about Mayor Tory Whanau, and felt 'embarrassed' to be from Wellington. Labour leader and member for Remutaka Chris Hipkins said Chung's comments were 'absolutely disgraceful' and it was 'undoubtedly true' that women in politics were subjected to more abuse than men in politics. 'Women of colour are subjected to a degree even more of abuse, denigration and disrespect, and it isn't acceptable,' Hipkins said. 'Regardless of someone's party political affiliation, regardless of whether you agree with them or not, there are ways to have these debates that still actually respect the person, and I hope that we can get back to that.' Hipkins said social media played a role and people felt more emboldened to make comments from the 'protection of their own living room'. 'When you're sitting at home in your living room, commenting on other people's social media posts or engaging in this sort of debate, ask yourself the fundamental question, 'would I say this to the person if they were standing right in front of me?'' 'If the answer to that is no, why are you writing it down?' he said. Hutt South MP Chris Bishop said he felt 'embarrassed as a Wellingtonian' and the whole affair was 'pathetic'. 'It really saddens me that local government in, what is New Zealand's second biggest city and a really important city, and my hometown, has descended into this level of ridiculousness,' Bishop said. 'The city has really big challenges around housing, around transport, around fiscal rectitude, and we spent the last week talking about everything other than those issues.' Bishop said Chung was a 'rogue' councillor acting in the 'most weird way possible'. Asked why Wellington struggled to put up credible right-wing candidate, Bishop said he thought there needed to be some 'soul searching'. Speaking to Labour in the debating chamber, Bishop said he told media six weeks ago mayoral and former Labour MP Andrew Little was a 'solid' candidate and would most likely win the election. Finance Minister Nicola Willis said it was the 'most stupid, silly email'. Labour's Wellington Issues spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said the comments were 'absolutely disgusting' and ultimately, Wellingtonians would make up their own mind's about Chung's mayoral hopes. 'The bigger issue is, who on earth is going to vote for this guy?' Verrall said. 'It's so important that Wellingtonians and other New Zealanders feel that there's good representation on offer to them. For the vast majority of elected people, you see people diligently going about their job. Ray Chung is well way out of line with norms in terms of how other politicians behave.' Labour's Ginny Andersen said the email was 'unprofessional' and 'unneeded'. 'It's good that he has, I understand, apologised to Tory Whanau. That sort of politics is not necessary.' Andersen said she was seeing an increase in personal attacks on female politicians and Chung's behaviour looks like 'gutter politics'.
