Otaki MP Nathan Guy has welcomed the National Party’s policy to further speed up the consent process for the Resource Management Act.
 
"Introducing a six-month time limit on the consenting of medium-sized projects is great news for Kapiti and Horowhenua.
 
"Projects like new factories, commercial buildings and subdivisions all help to create jobs and grow the economy. Delays in processing these consents can be enormously frustrating and costly.
 
"Many of these consents take over a year to resolve, longer than it takes to actually build them. We need to remove this unnecessary red-tape and encourage economic development.
 
"This follows on from National’s reforms over the previous three years which have dramatically reduced delays on small non-notified consents, and ensured major projects like Transmission Gully can be heard within nine months.
 
"Recent figures show that local councils are processing more resource consents on time over the last two years. From 2007/08 to 2010/11 Horowhenua District Council has improved from 60% to 98%, while Horizons Regional Council increased from 74% to 98%.
 
"Kapiti Coast District Council has remained a high achiever over the same period, going from 99% to 93%.
 
"The next phase of reforms will also create a new requirement for councils to consider natural hazard risks like earthquakes, which is timely.
 
"National’s policy on the RMA contrasts sharply with the Labour Party, who have no ideas for reform and accept the status quo."
 
The full policy is available here: http://national.org.nz/PDF_General/Resource_Management_Policy.pdf

Otaki MP Nathan Guy has welcomed the Government’s National Infrastructure Plan and the transport investment going into Kapiti and Horowhenua.
 
“This plan confirms the Government’s commitment to $17 billion of investment over the next four years on assets like schools, hospitals, state houses, prisons, roads, rail and broadband.

“On top of that, $5.5 billion is going towards the rebuild of Canterbury.
 
“A key part of this programme is a transport network that links rail, sea and air ports and the roading network. The Wellington to Levin Road of National Significance is a major part of that.
 
“This week we’ve seen two big steps forward.

“KiwiRail and the Greater Wellington Regional Council have signed an asset transfer agreement, as part of a package to rebuild Wellington’s commuter rail services. This includes government funding of $88.4 million to renew the signalling and traction assets on the network.
 
“Also, a Board of Inquiry by the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has approved NZTA plans for the Waterview Connection roading project in Auckland, made in just 10 months.

“This was a test case for the EPA and this reduced time all bodes well for a quick decision on the Kapiti expressway, while still allowing community voices to be heard. Previously getting a consent and designation could take up to five years.
 
“This is also a very positive sign for other big developments like Transmission Gully.

“After decades of talk, we are finally getting the infrastructure we need. The Government is making a massive investment into the future of our region that will set us up for decades.” 
 

From left: Greater Wellington Regional Council Chair Fran Wilde, KiwiRail Chief Executive Jim Quinn, Otaki MP Nathan Guy and Transport Minister Steven Joyce onboard a new Matangi train.

Otaki MP Nathan Guy has welcomed the launch of an action plan today to start cleaning up the Manawatu River.

“The Manawatu River Leaders’ Accord Action Plan is a significant milestone. The key actions include reducing sediments, nutrients and point source discharge into the river which will help the natural habitat for native fish and birds.

“It’s very encouraging to see the broad support behind this effort. Local councils, iwi, industry, environmental groups and the farming community have all committed to improving the river for future generations. 

“I’ll be lobbying the Environment Minister Nick Smith for support with this important clean-up project.

“This project is particularly important to the Foxton community. The Manawatu River estuary is an internationally recognised bird sanctuary, and local volunteers from the Save Our River Trust are doing great work cleaning up the Foxton river loop and creating walking tracks.

“The river loop will form an important link with the Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom project, which will be a multi-purpose cultural and heritage centre. This will be a superb asset for the community and visitors.

“It’s exciting to see the wider region getting behind the Manawatu River cleanup, and I look forward to supporting its progress.”
 

From left to right: Environment Minister Nick Smith, Chairman of the Horizons Regional Council Garrick Murfitt, and Otaki MP Nathan Guy launching the action plan in Foxton.