Understanding the upcoming changes to the resource management system

How are you feeling about the upcoming changes to the resource management system?

These changes will have a massive impact on the work we do in environmental management, from council plan-making through to individual resource consent decisions.

One of my goals for Cobble Consulting is to help scientists and other interested groups participate in the policy process. To help with that, I'm going to start publishing little guides and infographics explaining key developments in environmental policy.

This week I've been studying the upcoming changes to the resource management system. I've created two infographics on:

• Resource management reform - big picture changes

• National direction changes within that reform programme.

  
  

Though there is a lot of detail still to come, it's clear there is a lot going on. It will be complex to figure out how these changes will affect different locations and ecosystems (to put it mildly!).

Contact me if you'd like to discuss how I can help you:

• understand the impact of these changes for your organisation or sector

• participate effectively in the upcoming policy processes. 

  
  

 💡 And if you've got any suggestions for future infographics, please drop them in the comments below. 

Sources:

• The Minister's recent announcement about phase two of the reform: RMA Reform Phase Two priorities and plan | Beehive.govt.nz

  
  

• Cabinet paper from March 2024, setting out high-level plans: Work-Programme-for-Reforming-the-Resource-Management-System.pdf (environment.govt.nz)

  
  

• Progress of the first RMA amendment bill ("Bill 1"):

  Resource Management (Freshwater and Other Matters) Amendment Bill (bills.parliament.nz)