Slow resource consents focus of attention

Bill English
Bill English
Southern councils which process the majority of their resource consent applications on time have been given a pat on the back by Deputy Prime Minister Bill English, but he has criticised one southern local authority for its track record.

Latest figures for the 2007-08 year show Gore district, Queenstown-Lakes and Clutha district councils, as well as Environment Southland, managed to process at least three-quarters of their consents on time.

Mr English, whose Clutha-Southland electorate covers those councils, said he was heartened by those figures, especially when considering the region underwent significant growth and development during that period.

"Efficient processing of resource consents into the future will be critical in creating jobs and lifting productivity around our region during the tough times," he said.

But he was less than impressed with the Southland District Council, which managed to process just over half of its consents on time.

"I'm disappointed and somewhat concerned at these statistics which effectively show that every second resource consent which the Southland District Council processed exceeded the statutory timeframe.

"These types of delays are extremely frustrating, not to mention expensive, for homeowners, developers and farmers as projects are put on hold while the paperwork is done."

Mr English said the Government was keen to address the issue of late resource consents through its Resource Management Amendment Bill.

He said the Bill was about simplifying the consent process and also providing incentives for councils to improve their consenting timeframes.

 

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