The proposed changes to the resource management act will slow down the consenting process, increase uncertainty and make consents more expensive.

The grand plan is to replace the RMA (resource management act) with 3 separate pieces of legislation. Each piece of legislation will have different aims, from fixing climate change to giving effect to the treaty of waitangi principles.

If anyone things ditching one complicated document and replacing it with three complicated documents, each with a different purpose, is going to make consenting easier then they’re in for an unpleasant surprise.

Aside from the increased complexity of the legislation itself, how long is it going to take for council staff and others to understand and interpret the legislation? Council’s are already overwhelmed with work and they can’t hire more staff as they simply aren’t available in NZ, and expertise from overseas is not allowed to be bought in.

As far as I can tell, this RMA reform is just another popularity contest designed to buy votes. It’s definitely not going to make my job of providing affordable housing any easier.

Link to article by Property Council New Zealand head of advocacy Denise Lee https://bit.ly/2TIA7KT

John Kenel
Assured Property

#assuredproperty #housing #rentals #propertyinvestment