Pursuant to sections 80L and 80M of the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA), the Minister for the Environment gives the following notice.

Notice

1. Title and Commencement

(1) This notice is the Resource Management (Direction for the Intensification Streamlined Planning Process to Auckland Council) Amendment Notice 2023.

(2) This notice shall come into force on the date of publication.

2. Direction for the Intensification Streamlined Planning Process

Minister for the Environment’s Amended Direction for the Intensification Streamlined Planning Process to Auckland Council

In accordance with sections 80L and 80M of the RMA, the Minister for the Environment directs Auckland Council to notify decisions on the independent hearings panel’s recommendations for Plan Change 78 in accordance with clause 102 of Schedule 1 of the RMA by 31 March 2025.

Minister for the Environment’s Statement of Expectations Additional Direction for the Intensification Streamlined Planning Process for Auckland Council

In accordance with clause 80L(2) of the RMA, the Minister for the Environment’s expectations for Auckland Council are that in the extended period by which Auckland Council must notify decisions on the independent hearings panel's recommendations, the Council will:

1. Investigate impacts arising from the significant flooding and landslides caused by extreme weather during Auckland Anniversary weekend and Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023, and the implications for land-use planning, infrastructure, and other policy settings;
2. Determine if a variation is required in order to:
1. Apply qualifying matters to recognise and provide for matters of national importance, in particular the management of significant risks from natural hazards.
2. Ensure that through its intensification planning instrument, intensification is enabled in low natural hazard risk areas and ensure new development is avoided in high natural hazard areas unless the level of risk can be reduced to a tolerable level.

Minister for the Environment’s Additional Direction for the Intensification Streamlined Planning Process to Auckland Council

In accordance with clause 80L(1)(d) of the RMA, the Minister for the Environment directs Auckland Council to provide a report to the Ministry for the Environment every three months from the date of this notice about its progress of the intensification streamlined planning process. The report shall demonstrate how the Council is having regard to the statement of expectations and identify any issues which may affect the Council's ability to comply with the Minister's Direction.

3. Principal Notice

This notice amends “The Resource Management (Direction for the Intensification Streamlined Planning Process to Auckland Council) Notice 2022” published in the New Zealand Gazette, 27 April 2022, Notice No. 2022-sl1599, only to the extent specified in this notice.

Dated at Wellington this 15th day of August 2023.

Hon DAVID PARKER, Minister for the Environment.

Notes

1. This Direction must be complied with (other than in respect of the Minister’s statement of expectations included in the direction which must be had regard to).
2. Part 6 of Schedule 1 of the RMA specifies the requirements of any Intensification Streamlined Planning Process.
3. Section 80M of the RMA provides the Minister the ability to amend this Direction on their own initiative or following a request from one or more of the specified territorial authorities named in this direction.
4. Auckland Council may, in accordance with section 80M of the RMA apply in writing to the Minister for the Environment for an amendment to the Direction.