15 July 2004
Press release
PUT GROWTH INTO RMA, SAY CHAMBERS
New Zealand's Chambers of Commerce welcomed suggestions today that the Government might be considering making economic
growth a matter of national importance under the Resource Management Act. NZCCI's recent policy series "Achieving Faster
Growth for New Zealand" advocated just such a change.
"Lifting our material standard of living is important to most New Zealanders. It should be included in the Act to ensure
we get a proper balance when it comes to using the nation's resources", said Philip Lewin, CEO of the Wellington
Regional Chamber of Commerce.
"At present the Act (section 6) only refers to preserving or protecting the coastline, natural features, indigenous
flora and fauna, public access, and our historic heritage, and having regard to cultural values. The positive use of our
resources to improve our lot is left completely out, and this lack of balance is at the heart of many of the problems we
see with the RMA."
ENDS