Two good policies

National released the RMA policy yesterday. The key aspect is a six month deadline for local authorities to consent medium-sized developments. This will be welcome by anyone whose had to waits years to get a yes or no to a development.

The policy will not change the criteria on which local authorities decide. It will just penalise them (by rebating the consent fee) if they do not decide in time. This is a win-win, as if the answer is a no, it is better to find that out earlier, and if it is a yes, then you can proceed.

Already late consents have fallen from 31% of all non-notified consents under Labour to 5% today.

Today’s science announcement is also a good one, in my opinion:

The Government will boost investment in the science sector to transform Industrial Research Limited (IRL) into an advanced technology institute, which will function as the ‘high-tech HQ’ for New Zealand, Prime Minister John Key announced today. …

“Over the next five years, we will effectively double the size and capability of IRL, transforming it into an advanced technology institute with up to 700 staff and with a far greater reach than at present.”

The institute will have a strong business-focused culture, will have a nation-wide remit and will be close to where the country’s high-tech businesses are located. The institute will have facilities in Auckland and Christchurch, and will retain the existing Gracefield facility in Lower Hutt.