• About this site|
• Site index|
• Contact us

Working with you

• Consultation
• Green Ribbon Awards
• Conferences & events
• Environmental wellbeing and Local Government
• Funding sources
• What you can do

Call for applications

This document is also available a word document (101, KB)

Education and Advisory Services Fund

May 2009

1 Introduction

The purpose of the RMA Education and Advisory Services Fund (“the Fund”) is to increase the availability of public information and education on environmental legislation, particularly the RMA.  The Fund has a comprehensive, national focus and seeks to increase the quality and geographical spread of community based RMA advice.

For this financial year (2009/2010) total funding of $200,000 (incl GST) for advisory and workshop services will be available with a split of $130,000 (incl GST) for advisory services and $70,000 (incl GST) for community workshops.  An additional $30,000 will be held in a contingency for specific community advisory services or workshops as projects/issues arise.

The Ministry now seeks applications from service providers to deliver free independent RMA advisory services and community workshops.  The Ministry wants to ensure that there is national coverage, although not necessarily from one service provider.  Three or more providers may be engaged, so long as the geographical spread is as wide as possible and expertise is appropriate to the area and community of need.

A significant focus of the Ministry, and the RMA Fund in 09/10 will be supporting and implementing the changes to the RMA that arise as a result of Phase I of the RMA reform (The Resource Management (Simplifying and Streamlining) Amendment Bill - anticipated to take effect from July 2009) and Phase 2 of the RMA reform as it progresses in the latter part of 2009, relating to aquaculture, infrastructure, urban design, water, the proposed Environmental Protection Authority, and alignment of RMA processes with other Acts.

The Ministry may change this call for applications (including dates, criteria, project description), waive any requirement, or cancel or suspend this call for applications.  If we do so we will advise interested parties by way of the Ministry website, and will directly advise all parties who have submitted applications.

2 Knowledge and experience sought

The Ministry seeks to select service providers that:

• Have relevant qualifications, skills and experience in the provision of comprehensive RMA advisory services, including the preparation (but not delivery) of submissions and appeals.
• Have skills and experience in the production of adult educational resources.
• Can be easily identified by the community as a key provider of this advice.
• Are able to provide informed, up to date and consistent advice and support to all New Zealanders on the RMA – the Ministry is keen to ensure national coverage, but regionally based providers will be considered.
• Are independent and have no, or are able to manage any, conflicts of interest.
• Are legally registered or constituted New Zealand entity.
• Provide a value for money and a fair and equitable service to all.
• Are able to provide advice through a variety of media including: internet; telephone and, where appropriate, face to face.

3 Content of Applications

Applications should include:

• Identification of applicant, including full legal name
• Identification of whether application is for advisory services, workshop provision, or both.
• A full outline of the services including the geographical focus for the service, the timeframe to deliver the service, and proposed promotional activity.
• Identification of criteria (in (2) above) and how the applicant meets them.  This should include qualifications and work experience (brief details of relevant projects completed and client referees).
• How the approach will relate/co-ordinate with other existing RMA advisory services (including the  Ministry’s RMA INFO services and the Environmental Legal Assistance Fund (see Part 4 below))
• Available resources (including other funding sources).
• How the service will be monitored and reported on to the Ministry (see Part 5 below)
• Identification of the lead service provider and any sub-contractors.
• Any other relevant information.
• Completion of a Project Plan in the following format:

 
4 Working with the Ministry

There are two core teams within the Ministry that chosen service providers will be expected to engage with; the RMA Implementation Team (note: team name will be “RM Practice” after 1 July 2009), which manages the Ministry’s RMA implementation processes, and the Projects and Partnerships Team (“Business and Communities” after 1 July 2009), which oversees the community relations and funding activities carried out by the Ministry.

The Ministry provides an 0800 phone line and email service for general information about the RMA.  This service provides targeted information to the public and small businesses.  The service provider will be required to provide a more comprehensive advisory service.  RMAINFO will refer callers to advisory services if they require targeted, specific advice, rather than information about process.

The Ministry also provides funding for Court proceedings through the Environmental Legal Assistance Fund.  The advisory services delivered through the RMA Education and Advisory Fund need to complement and not replicate the activities funded by the Environmental Legal Assistance Fund.

With regard to changes to the RMA that arise as a result of Phase 1 of the RMA reforms (anticipated to take effect from 1 July 2009) and Phase 2 of the reforms as it progresses, the Ministry will be rolling out implementation guidance to practitioners through publications and workshops.  To complement that rollout, the RMA Fund will enable service providers to deliver workshops and/or publications to the general public regarding the RMA reforms and the RMA in general.  Service providers will be expected to work closely with the RM Practice team in delivering advice about the RMA reforms.

The development of a strong partnership with the Ministry will enable sharing of information and resources and coordination of activities.  The Ministry will provide support to chosen service providers and will appoint a Relationship Manager who will manage the liaison in terms of administrative requirements, deed management, RMA issues, resources and materials.

5  Deliverables

5.1 Advisory Service

The aims of the advisory service are to facilitate access for all New Zealanders to cost effective, independent advice about RMA processes.  The successful applicant/s will provide an RMA advisory service by phone, email and possibly face-to-face in response to queries from the public including community groups, small business and iwi.  This may include assistance with preparing applications, submissions and appeals for third parties.  The service provider will not be able to use funding to provide advice or assistance to local authorities or government departments.  The service provider will not be able to use funding for preparation of its own advocacy work, applications, submissions and appeals.  Funding is not to be used for appearance at RMA hearings or appeals.  No more than ten hours should be spent on any one enquiry.  Enquiries may be referred to the service provider through MfE’s RMAINFO service.   

Service providers must have robust record keeping and monitoring systems.  A record will need to be maintained and provided to MfE quarterly of every phone call and e-mail query dealt with under the deed/agreement including the date, name, city, phone number, nature of query, nature of response, and service provider time spent.  During phone calls, callers must be asked whether they agree to their details being kept, and whether they would agree to MfE contacting them regarding the service provided.  A reporting template has been developed and quarterly reports must be submitted to the Ministry before invoices will be paid.

The service provider shall acknowledge MfE funding and support of this service on its publicity material.  It shall include publication of a disclaimer where appropriate (e.g. website, brochures, posters):

“This service is [partially] funded by the Ministry for the Environment (MfE).  However, MfE does not endorse any advice provided, or action taken, by (service provider name).  MfE accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever whether in contract, tort, equity or otherwise for the consequences of any reliance placed on the advice provided, or action taken, by (service provider name).”    

 
5.2  Community Workshops

The aims of the community workshops are to give targeted, face-to-face education and advice to the community about RMA issues.  Partnership approaches may be considered (e.g. Councils and community groups, with guest speakers).  MfE staff may assist in workshop delivery without endorsing the actions of service providers.

MfE may , in consultation with the service provider, develop tailored training modules and supporting material around generic topics such as (1) the resource consent process for applicants, (2) the resource consent process for submitters, (3) the plan change process, (4) designations, (5) Maori involvement in RMA processes, and (6) coastal development.

The target attendance for each workshop is 50 persons.

6  Timeframe

The Ministry wishes to enter into deeds by 17 July 2009.  The following table illustrates indicative dates:

7  Budget, duration and payment

Deeds will be entered into up until the period ending 30 June 2010, at which time deeds will be reviewed and further deeds may be entered into, or new applications called for.  Payment for advisory services will be made quarterly in arrears, upon receipt of satisfactory monitoring reports (demonstrating that services meet the criteria set out in the deed).  Payment for workshop provision will on completion of the workshop, upon receipt of satisfactory monitoring reports (demonstrating that workshops meet the criteria set out in the deed).

8 Next steps

Please note that any deed will be entered into in accordance with the sample deed attached as Appendix 1. The terms and conditions of the final deed will not be varied and careful consideration will need to given to whether you are prepared to work under the terms of the deed before you submit an application.

Applications must be sent to

Sarah Myhill, Senior Advisor, RM Practice Team,
Ministry for the Environment,
PO Box 6145,
Tauranga 3143,

or via email to sarah.myhill@mfe.govt.nz. 

For further information contact Sarah Myhill on 0800 762 4636 or by email.  

Last updated: 22 May 2009