New Zealand's resource management system is about to enter a period of significant change.
The Government is progressing new legislation to replace the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA), with the new system expected to begin taking effect from 2027.
While the reforms are intended to create a simpler and more consistent planning system in the longer term, getting there will involve a period of transition as new legislation, national direction and planning frameworks are introduced.
For landowners, developers and businesses already considering a project, that makes the certainty we have today particularly valuable.
Today's rules are known
Right now, district and regional plans are in place, consenting pathways are established and there is a clear framework for determining what can be done with a particular property.
Once the new system begins to take effect, existing RMA plans won't simply disappear. They will remain in place while new regional spatial plans, land-use plans and natural environment plans are developed.
That means councils, applicants and advisers will be navigating an evolving planning environment during the transition.
There is also no guarantee that the development opportunities, criteria or consenting pathways available under today's plans will remain the same under future planning arrangements.
Certainty has value
Resource management reform will bring significant change over the next few years. While the intention is a simpler system in the future, the transition itself will take time to work through.
If you already have a subdivision, development or other project in mind, don't assume waiting for the new system will make the pathway clearer.
Now is a sensible time to understand what's possible and, where appropriate, progress your application while the current planning framework remains in place.
Considering a project? Talk to CKL's planning and land development team about your options and whether now is the right time to get started.
