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Principles to guide the review

The Government determined a set of principles to guide the direction of the Resource Management Act review programme and decision making about potential solutions for problems. Any options proposed to improve existing law and practice must comply with the following principles:

  1. Achieving good environmental outcomes in line with the purpose of the Act
    There should be a proper assessment of environment effects so that adverse effects can be avoided and mitigated
     
  2. Certainty of process but not outcomes
    Resource consent applicants should have reasonable certainty about how long it will take to obtain a final decision, but the outcome must be determined by a proper assessment of environmental effects
     
  3. Certainty of cost
    Resource consent applicants should have reasonable certainty about how much it will cost to obtain a consent
     
  4. Local decision-making
    Communities are well placed to make environmental decisions where appropriate in their areas and should have the opportunity to plan and make decisions
     
  5. Public participation
    Those affected by resource consent applications are best placed to identify the adverse effects on them, and should have the opportunity to put these before decision makers and to seek avoidance or mitigation of adverse effects
     
  6. Central government leadership
    Central government should show leadership and give guidance to those involved in resource management.

Last updated: 6 May 2008