| Welcome to our bite sized blog series about recent changes to the RMA and what they mean for Regular People. Some of the RMA changes address resource consent issues to make them easier and cheaper for people to deal with, and today’s buzzword is “Electronic Information Delivery”. The council I (Jen) used to work at was probably a fire hazard, with paper copies of All The Things stored on site. We posted out tonnes of documents, but emailed each other (That image isn't me... I don't wear suits). |  Photo Kathleen Zarubin CC BY 2.0 |
Background:
The Resource Legislation Amendment Act 2017 (RLAA) was adopted by the New Zealand government in April 2017. It contains changes to 5 different Acts, one of which is the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA). Some of the changes to the RMA happened immediately, and others will go live in October 2017.
The Resource Legislation Amendment Act 2017 (RLAA) was adopted by the New Zealand government in April 2017. It contains changes to 5 different Acts, one of which is the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA). Some of the changes to the RMA happened immediately, and others will go live in October 2017.
We've been trying to be as close to paperless as we can manage in the Perception Planning offices, and lately it has even felt a bit strange to use the printer (except for concert tickets).
RMA processes tend to be heavy on the paperwork. In a step that shows that government legislation can indeed move with the times, in October 2017 some RMA changes to section 2AB and section 352 are moving away from hard copies of everything, and moving toward the wonders of online communication.
Hallelujah!
RMA processes tend to be heavy on the paperwork. In a step that shows that government legislation can indeed move with the times, in October 2017 some RMA changes to section 2AB and section 352 are moving away from hard copies of everything, and moving toward the wonders of online communication.
Hallelujah!
Photo Ted Drake CC BY-ND 2.0
This move to reduce paper will take place on 18 October 2017. It will not only change the way councils tell communities about their resource management activities, but will also change the way they share documents. Ever been lucky enough to get reports or copies of resource consent applications folded and stuffed into your mail box on a rainy day? No more soggy bundles of paperwork in your mailbox! No more lengthy public notices in newspapers!
Now, when you make a submission on a plan change or resource consent, all the documents you need will be emailed to you. When you’re keen to keep up with your council’s District Plan review, you’ll need to keep an eye on their website as this will be the key place where they will display their information. We're all for this change to faster, more modern council communications.
Now, when you make a submission on a plan change or resource consent, all the documents you need will be emailed to you. When you’re keen to keep up with your council’s District Plan review, you’ll need to keep an eye on their website as this will be the key place where they will display their information. We're all for this change to faster, more modern council communications.
If you work at a council, now is a great time to have a look at your website. Is information displayed clearly? Is it easy for people to use? How many clicks does it take for someone to find that notified resource consent application? How long does it take to find the Plan Review submission page?
Online communications. We’re digging it. How about you?
Online communications. We’re digging it. How about you?
Photo Igor Miske on Unsplash
Authors
Deb Kissick is a resource management policy planner who likes to figure out How Things Work.
Jen Olson is a planning communicator who likes to write about RMA stuff for regular people.
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