Amy Adams15 APRIL, 2013
- Environment Minister Amy Adams says a
survey that shows thousands of businesses
are feeling constrained by the Resource
Management Act demonstrates why the Government’s
reforms are badly needed.
Statistics New Zealand’s
Business Operations Survey released today
shows that RMA processes are having a significant
effect on business performance.
According to the survey,
businesses have blamed the RMA process for
the cancellation of projects potentially
worth more than $800 million over the last
two financial years.
The uncertainty of the
process had led to the cancellation of about
two thirds of these projects.
The survey also shows:
Only 3 per cent of businesses
said current RMA processes enhanced their
business
430 businesses cancelled projects each worth
more than $100,000 due to RMA processes
Some businesses have spent up to 25 per
cent of their total expenditure on applying
for resource consents
More than half of resource consent applications
are cancelled in the pre-application stage,
mainly due to uncertainty and time delays
The vast majority of businesses feeling
constrained by the RMA are small and medium
enterprises
Ms Adams says the survey confirms what she
had heard from businesses and communities
during a series of RMA consultation meetings
throughout the country.
“Frustration with the
RMA was rife at these meetings. In most
cases, the frustration was not about whether
a particular project could or could not
proceed, it was about the time and cost
to reach that decision.
“There is too much uncertainty
in the outcome of the process, and the impact
of this is real - potential new jobs are
not being created and communities are missing
out on economic benefits.”
The Government’s proposed
reforms would make the RMA system easier
to use, increase certainty and predictability,
attract investment, and reduce unnecessary
duplication and cost, whilst continuing
to protect the environment.
“Fundamentally, the
proposed reforms are about providing greater
confidence for businesses to grow and create
jobs, greater certainty for communities
to plan for local needs, and stronger environmental
outcomes as our communities grow and change.”
+ More
Government accredits
new product stewardship scheme
Amy Adams24 APRIL, 2013
- Environment Minister Amy Adams has today
announced a newly-accredited product stewardship
scheme for the reuse and recycling of carpet
tiles.
Ms Adams has approved
an application from INZIDE Commercial, distributors
of Interface branded carpet tiles.
Under the scheme used
tiles will be collected from carpet installers
and customers at depots in Auckland, Wellington
and Christchurch.
“This scheme is an excellent
example of an organisation taking responsibility
for the products they have sold when they
reach the end of their useable lives, Ms
Adams says.
"The old carpet
tiles will be given a second life, diverting
them from landfill and helping the environment.”
Ms Adams made the announcement
during a visit to INZIDE Commercial in Auckland
today.
Tiles that can be reused
are stored ready to be supplied to future
customers, or donated to community groups
such as the Salvation Army and Habitat for
Humanity.
PVC backed carpet tiles
beyond their usable life are sent back to
the original manufacturer in the United
States where they are stripped and remanufactured
into new carpet tiles. The company is also
investigating the potential for remanufacture
in New Zealand.
INZIDE’s product stewardship
programme achieved accreditation as it meets
criteria required by the Waste Minimisation
Act and reduces waste and environmental
harm.
Eight product stewardship
schemes are now accredited around New Zealand
for industries including paint, plastics,
refrigerants and waste oil.
