A range of public meetings providing information and seeking feedback on reforms to environmental matters will be hosted over the coming three weeks, the Government has announced.

Public meetings on reforms to the way New Zealand’s fresh water, elite soils, urban environment, waste and hazardous substances are managed will be held in more than 20 places.

“Public meetings/hui start today that give New Zealanders a chance to have their say on the biggest programme of action to protect our environment since the introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991,” says Minister for the Environment David Parker.

The Minister has appointed an Independent Advisory Panel, chaired by retired Principal Environment Court Judge David Sheppard, to consider the submissions on freshwater proposals.

Anderson Lloyd’s Maree Baker-Galloway, a partner at Anderson Lloyd specialising in environmental and planning law, Specifically the Resource Management Act is one of the additional four appointments to the Advisory panel.

Other Advisory panel members include Andrew Fenemor, Senior Scientist in hydrology and water management at Landcare Research in Nelson, Antione Coffin, Director of Te Onewa Consultants, and Tracy Brown, a trained agricultural economist and former Chair of the Dairy Environment Leaders Forum.

Submissions on freshwater proposals close on October 17.

Resource Management Review Panel announced

David Parker has also announced the Resource Management Review Panel for the comprehensive review of the Resource Management Act which was announced in July.

The Chair, Hon Tony Randerson QC, will be joined by:

Amelia Linzey, Senior Technical Director of the planning team at engineering and planning consultancy Beca.

Dean Kimpton, former Chief Operating Officer at Auckland Council and Managing Director at engineering and planning consultancy AECOM.

Kevin Prime MBE ONZM, who is a Commissioner with the Environment Court as well as a farmer, forester, and conservationist in Northland.

Rachel Brooking, Senior Associate of Anderson Lloyd specialising in environmental and local government legislation.

Raewyn Peart MNZM, Policy Director at the Environmental Defence Society.