Finance Minister Steven Joyce and Building and Construction, and Environment Minister Nick Smith made the joint announcement yesterday, saying the new fit-for-purpose urban laws would be separate from the Resource Management Act.
The RMA's one-size-fits-all approach had restrained the development of cities, dragged on their economic performance and restricted the supply of much-needed housing and infrastructure, the ministers said.
Complaints about the RMA and calls for changes have been a key part of New Zealand business' election wishes since the law was first enacted.
Now, after nine years of having the power to change the law, National is promising to introduce new legislation.
Not unexpectedly, BusinessNZ has welcomed National's plan to introduce new planning law for urban areas.
Chief executive Kirk Hope said the planning system under the RMA was not allowing urban development in response to growth.
``BusinessNZ has been advocating for fit-for-purpose urban planning laws separate from the Resource Management Act to get better planning and development and better protection for the environment in cities.''
Separating the planning functions for the built and the natural environments would better achieve the objectives of each of those, he said.
It would also allow the relevant parts of the Local Government Act and Land Transport Management Act to be better aligned with urban planning legislation.
Dr Smith said the new planning legislation would have clear and separate objectives for regulating urban and natural environments.
The Government had simplified the RMA over the past nine years and made it easier to build. However, the RMA was only one part of the planning system and the end had been reached of what could be done by making incremental changes to the Act.
National would establish separate planning and environmental regulations designed to encourage growth while tackling the environmental challenges of cities, such as air pollution and stormwater surges, he said.
``National will start its urban planning reform process by consulting with key stakeholders, local government, iwi, experts, and the public to develop fit-for-purpose legislation that works for cities,'' Dr Smith said.
• In a separate announcement, Social Housing Minister Amy Adams announced 120 new social homes would be build on Auckland's Great North Rd solely to be used for those who needed social housing assistance.
All the 120 new homes would be social housing, making it one of the biggest social housing developments in Auckland.
No costings were included in the announcement.
• The Green Party wants to revitalise rail across the country, including repairing the Napier-Gisborne line at a cost of up to $10million.
Green transport spokeswoman and MP Gareth Hughes, the local candidate, made the announcement in Gisborne.
``There are huge benefits to moving more freight by rail in the region - fewer heavy trucks on the roads, less pollution, and lower freight costs for businesses.''
