Hon David Parker - 10/04/2007
- Key international research released today
by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC) paints a vivid picture of
how climate change will impact on New Zealand's
natural and built environments.
Climate Change Minister David Parker says
the latest report provides more detail on
how climate change is already altering the
planet, and how the regions of New Zealand
will be affected. "Climate change will
increasingly affect our everyday lives –
the food we produce, where we live, and
the natural environment we enjoy."
"The Prime Minister has called for
our country to move towards greater sustainability.
Reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and
responding pro-actively to climate change
is part of that overall movement."
David Parker says the IPCC report emphasises
the need to prepare communities, farming
and businesses for more severe weather events
like floods, droughts, slips and storm surges,
as well as the effect of temperature rises.
“The report sets out a range of impacts
relating to different levels of temperature
rise. It projects some benefits from a warming
world. However, once that warming exceeds
around 2°C, the negative impacts outweigh
any gains.
"We all have a responsibility to act
to limit the worst impacts,” David Parker
said.
"The public response to our latest
climate change proposals has been very encouraging,
with more than 3000 written submissions
and 4000 attendees at meetings."
"The New Zealand public are clear
they see climate change as a serious issue
that demands a response, and that is what
we are delivering."
RMA Survey triggers investigation of councils
Hon David Benson-Pope - 13/04/2007 - The
2005/06 Resource Management Act (RMA) survey
of local authorities has found that while
many councils appear to operate consent
processes efficiently and effectively, there
are a number who do not.
In response, Environment Minister David
Benson-Pope has directed the Ministry for
the Environment to investigate up to 20
councils who do not appear to be processing
consents within the statutory times.
"I congratulate those councils which
are doing well or improving. Some have performed
excellently, processing 100 per cent of
consents in time. This shows that using
best practice, councils can have high performance.
"Others, however, must lift their
performance. I have asked for an investigation
of councils that are performing poorly compared
to others.
The RMA survey contains core questions
about resource consent processing statistics
such as: number, type, time, and costs.
It also covers matters such as iwi participation
in RMA processes, and changes made to regional
and district plans. The survey is a useful
tool to monitor RMA implementation, and
allows direct comparison of performance
across local government.
The Ministry for the Environment offers
guidance and a number of training programmes
to help local government with their planning
and consenting processes. This includes
targeted, one-on-one assistance for selected
councils.
However, not all councils appear to be
taking advantage of best practice guidance.
"The investigation being undertaken
will identify why some councils are performing
badly and what further assistance is needed.
I am confident that the reasons for delays
in consent processing can be addressed,"
said Mr Benson-Pope.
“I would like to see this year’s survey
stimulate discussion among local authorities
about good practice in RMA consent processing.
Such co-operation will help poorer performing
councils lift their performance and will
lead to improved overall performance,"
he said.
To read the survey: http://www.mfe.govt.nz/
For best practice guidelines visit http://www.qualityplanning.org.nz/
