A blueprint for more pollution and environmental harm – Greenpeace reaction to new Resource Management bills
Greenpeace says the Government’s rewrite of New Zealand’s core environmental laws includes an outrageous new idea, whereby companies will be able to claim financial compensation when councils introduce rules to limit pollution or protect the environment.
The proposal, called “regulatory takings” was announced as part of the Government’s plan to replace the Resource Management Act with a Natural Environment Bill and a Planning Bill.
Greenpeace campaigner Genevieve Toop says: “New Zealanders should never be expected to pay financial compensation to the very companies causing damage to their communities.
“Under this plan, New Zealanders would have to pay companies causing environmental harm to get them to stop. It flips the entire principle that polluters should pay on its head.
