Aquaculture Reform Update
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Jul 2010
In June 2010 we summarised the Government's plans for the future shape of the Aquaculture industry. As part of the proposed Aquaculture reform Cabinet agreed in principle to amend the Resource Management Act 1991 ("RMA") to enable a new Aquaculture Minister to create regulations that amend Regional Coastal Plans.
On Thursday 22 July the Government signalled that it intends to use this power to amend two Regional Coastal Plans that it considers presents barriers to Aquaculture growth. The affected Plans are those in the Tasman and Waikato regions.
The Government has announced that it will introduce the Aquaculture Reform Bill later this year and it still has a target of having the Bill enacted in early 2011.
The Government is removing regional planning from the regions in favour of central government intervention. Clearly the Government is willing to take bold steps to achieve reform that it considers will accelerate the development of the Aquaculture industry.
Prepared by Jackie St John
