News
Updates
What’s Happening in Waikato & Auckland
Many local authorities around the Waikato are currently undertaking plan reviews. The Proposed Hamilton City District Plan and the Proposed Waipa District Plan received 45 and 28 appeals respectively to the Environment Court. Hearings have begun for the Thames Coromandel District Plan review and are expected to be completed by the April 2015. The Waikato Policy Statement is also under review, with 37 appeals lodged with the Environment Court against the decisions.
Hearings for the Proposed Auckland Unitary Plan, known as the 'PAUP' commenced in October. By the end of this year, the Panel would have heard a range of general matters; Issues; and the Regional Policy Statement objectives and policies. Pre-hearing meetings commence again on 13 January 2015.
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Waikato River
New collaborative initiative to restore Waikato River
Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith welcomed the launch of the Waikato River Restoration Strategy, saying the new collaborative initiative will have an important role to play in ensuring the long-term health of the country’s longest river.
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Right to make Planning Decision on GMO
GE or not GE? A victory for democracy
New Zealanders can take heart that it is now confirmed that regional councils have the right to make planning decisions about the outdoor use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in their regions. Environment Court Judge Newhook determined yesterday that there is jurisdiction under the Resource Management Act for regional councils to make provision for GMOs through regional policy statements and plans.
This latest decision by Judge Newhook validates and strengthens that decision, and confirms that both the HSNO Act and the RMA have complementary roles to play in the management of GMOs in the environment.
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