RMA info made easy for public and business

The success of the RMA INFO free helpline has warranted continued government support. It has received over 1300 calls since August 2006. People who used the helpline have told Ministry advisers that they are thrilled with the service.

Fleur Monks from Gisborne says she was concerned that a new development was causing dirty water run-off into the local stream, but needed to know how to talk with the council about this issue. She looked up the Ministry for the Environment website and found the 0800 number.

“I was guided to Section 5 and then Section 17 of the act and talked through my options and from there I had confidence to work out how to approach the subject.

“It was great to talk to a person who had time to direct me through the act and how it related to my particular problem. I then had a place to start,” Fleur said.

A booklet series also launched in 2006 brings the Resource Management Act (RMA) down to a non-legal level pitched at everyone – that is, non specialists.

A new booklet on enforcement has just been published. It has short paragraphs on matters such as: who can take enforcement action; types of enforcement; enforcement orders, and prosecution. The booklet is one of 14 booklets in a box set that have diagrams and flowcharts to help to ‘demystify’ the RMA and make it ‘user friendly’.

Councils are the primary authority responsible for implementation of the RMA and central government supports this role. While the Ministry does not give RMA advice, we are giving tangible help to guide people to useful information and in the right direction.

Box sets called “An Everyday Guide to the RMA” are on display at councils, BizInfo outlets, law centres and many schools. They can be ordered by emailing: orders@mfe.govt.nz. The number for the RMA info line is: 0800 762 4636.

Previous|Next