Resource Management Act (RMA) Flashcards
History of RMA
- The need to improve environmental management was highlighted in 1980
- 1981 report identifying key ideas underlying how sustainable development could be applied in NZ
- 1980s growing awareness that key environmental legislation needed to be reviewed.
- 1991 revised act passed
What is integrated management?
Integrate the management of air, land, fresh water and marine areas into one piece of legislation.
What is regional councils role in integrated management?
Preparation of objectives, policies, and methods
District councils role in integrated management?
Focus narrowly on the effects of land use
What are the parts of the RMA?
- interpretation and application
- purpose and principals (core intention)
- duties and restrictions
- powers and function of central&local govt
- standards, policy statements and plans
- resource consent
- coastal activities
- designations and heritage orders
Purpose of the act:
promote the sustainable management of natural and physical resources
Sustainable management means:
provide for social, economic, and cultural well being, health and safety while
- sustaining the potential to meet future needs
- safeguarding the life supporting capacity of air, water, soil and ecosystems
- avoiding, remedying or mitigating adverse effects
True or false:
The RMA focuses on managing the effects of activities rather than regulating the activities themselves.
Effect of this approach:
True
Intervene only when activities result in unacceptable environmental impacts.
Result: reactive rather than proactive and poor management of cumulative and diffuse impacts.
Regional councils primary responsibility in RMA?
enforcement of RMA and protection of water, air and land
What is RPS
Regional Policy Statement. It addresses the higher level direction for the community in achieving purpose of the act.
Overview of the objectives, policies and methods
What is RP
Regional Plans, have rules which control activities for which consent may be required.
District/ city councils:
fewer RMA responsibilities
more functions in other areas (infrastructure)
What are unitary authorities?
organisation that has the responsibilities of both regional and district/ city councils.
TLA:
District councils also called Local authorities or territorial authorities
DP
District plan to control land use activities. Zoning.
Contingency plan:
implemented in the event that pre-determined compliance conditions are not met.
Role of plans
- give effect to the purpose of the act
- provide an opportunity for community engagement in the planning process
A discretionary activity has effects that are generally appropriate to the zone depending on:
- the scale and nature of the activity
- the site and surrounding land uses
- how the activity is managed
A non-complying activity has effects that are:
generally inappropriate to the zones, and that are therefore generally inconsistent with the objective and policies of the zone
LWRP:
land and water regional plan
NES:
National environmental standards
- contaminants
- HAIL (hazardous activities and industries list)
- water quality and protection
PIM:
Project Information Memorandum
Project Information Memorandum
to helpt decide whether your planning and building project is possible and practical. Requirements of the RMA
LIM:
Land Information Memorandum
Land Information Memorandum
Contains detailed information relating to any specific parcel of land
What does RMA do?
Controls resource use and promotes sustainable development of natural and physical resources.
What does RMA require of RCs and TLAs have?
RCs must have a RPS and Regional Plans
TLAs need to have District Plans
Regional and District Plans also contain rules. The rules classify activities into different classes:
- permitted
- controlled
- restricted discretionary
- discretionary
- non complying
- prohibited
When is a consent required?
When an activity does not meet the permitted activity status - unless it is for land use *
