21 May 2015
$41.2m for resource management, water reform
The Government is committing $41.2 million in Budget 2015 to deliver on its priorities for the environment, Environment
Minister Dr Nick Smith says.
Budget 2015 will invest an additional $20.4 million over four years to provide greater national direction and support to
councils in implementing the resource management reforms.
A further $4 million will go towards supporting the Environmental Protection Authority’s role to implement the Exclusive
Economic Zone (EEZ) legislation in 2015/16. An additional $16.8 million is allocated to support the Government’s
programme of improving the management of freshwater.
“A key priority in 2015/16 is progressing the Government’s second phase of Resource Management Act reforms,” Dr Smith
says. These reforms involve stronger national direction and greater use of National Policy Standards and National
Environment Standards.
“The funding will also support the development of planning templates to enable a more standardised and simplified
approach to resource management.
“The additional funding for freshwater work will enable the Government to progress the next steps in lifting New
Zealand’s management of our rivers, lakes and aquifers.
“It will help enable implementation of the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management and the 2014 National
Objectives Framework. Key issues to resolve include policy on exceptions, coastal lagoons, Māori rights and interests,
and supporting a new collaborative approach to resolving managing freshwater within councils.
“Budget 2015 will also support the Government’s work in improving New Zealand’s ocean management. Prior to this
Government, there was no system of environmental assessment for activities in New Zealand’s huge EEZ. The next step in
implementing this new law is the transfer and improvement of regulations relating to the release of pollutants into the
ocean environment, and developing a new Marine Protected Areas Act.”
ends