There are a number of changes proposed to environmental legislation, including Phase 2 of the Resource Management Act (RMA) Reforms and various National Environmental Standards (NES).

We are keeping a close eye on these changes. Provided below is a summary of the key details of the main reforms:

RMA: Phase II Reforms

Phase I RMA reforms (enacted in November 2009) aimed to address excessive bureaucracy, costs and delays of the RMA while safeguarding the environment. Phase II changes are much more complex focussing on:

• Improving infrastructure provisions
• Consideration of better freshwater management
• Exploring approaches to better urban planning
• Sustainable and cost effective aquaculture planning and development
• Addressing the establishment, role and functions of the new Environmental Protection Agency

Crown Minerals Act 1991: Review of Schedule 4

The Government (with MED and DoC) are currently undertaking a review of Schedule 4 of the Crown Minerals Act 1991, looking at removing some areas of Crown owned conservation land from the schedule so that these areas can be mined. This is a highly contentious issue, with much public debate anticipated.

Infrastructure Bill

We look forward to progress on this bill, as we know first hand that cumbersome processes lead to costly delays. The aim of the bill is to streamline nationally important infrastructure through the regulatory process, which will require amendments across several Acts.

 National Environmental Standards

National Environmental Standards (NES) are regulations under the RMA that overrule district and regional plan rules to provide national consistency. The following NES are at various stages of development, ranging from initial consultation to being legally drafted:

• Contaminants in soil
• Ecological flows and water levels
• Future sea-level rise
• Measurement of water takes
• On-site wastewater systems

After much local government and public frustration over the controversial NES for Telecommunications Facilities (introduced in 2009),  we hope that lessons have been learnt and the implementation of the above proposed NES's goes more smoothly!

 For further details on the upcoming changes in Environmental Legislation, click here.

As you will well know by now amalgamation of Auckland's eight governing authorities of Auckland into one structure, which will be the new Auckland Council, is set to occur by November 2010.

The Auckland Council will consist of a two-tier governance structure: a governing body (made up of the Mayor and 20 councillors) and 20-30 local boards.  The governing body and local boards will sit alongside each other and have distinct roles, rather than operate in a hierarchical relationship.

It seems we could be turning into a "Super Nation", with other regions looking into the structure already.

For further details of the proposed structure, role and responsibility of the Auckland Council, click here.

With winners announced and the awards behind us the Sustainable 60 progresses to the next stage, with a series of seminars based on leadership lessons from the awarded companies. The seminars, coming up at the end of March in both Auckland and Wellington will focus on providing practical hands-on advice with ideas and strategies that participants can apply to their own businesses.

For our valued clients, if you're interested in attending let us know, we could help get you along.

Andrew.Stewart welcomes Gough Gough & Hammer, Poutu Investments Ltd, Minimarc Childcare Centre and Environment Bay of Plenty as new clients.

Last month Carbon Group launched the country's first Low Carbon Zone in Auckland CBD's Victoria Quarter, kicking it off with their 'gorilla-marketing' campaign out on the streets visiting the local business and hand delivering invitations to participate to those 'in the zone'

Carbon Group's General Manager, Alice Andrew said "the response has been very positive, with businesses quickly understanding our point of difference from other carbon and sustainable business schemes" With its community based approach, the low zone aims to help strengthen local business communities through common membership of the scheme. "we see the Victoria Quarter as the first of many low zones to come, anyone can sign up and get one going, so register interest wherever you are"

For more details check out www.thelowzone.co.nz and for interesting updates on climate change and business (and to see what the gorilla is up to next) become a fan of The Low Zone on facebook.

CS-VUE welcomes a flood of new customers, including Queenstown Lakes District Council, Oceana Gold and the New Zealand Defence Force. We congratulate these organisations on stepping up to best practice environmental compliance and look forward to working with you.

Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter, we hope you have found it both interesting and informative.

If you have any suggestions of what you would like to see in future, or if you would like to contribute, please feel free to contact Justin Wannenburg.