Amy Adams
28 August, 2012
Environment Minister Amy Adams has welcomed
the passing of a new law that for the first
time will enable comprehensive environmental
management of activities in New Zealand’s
vast exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental
shelf.
“This new environmental legislation will
allow us to carefully manage development
of the resources in our oceans, and help
us unlock the enormous economic potential
that lies in our oceans in an environmentally-responsible
way,” Ms Adams says.
“The Government has ensured that beefed
up penalties of up to $10 million will apply
under the Bill and that the purpose will
align closely with the Resource Management
Act in focusing on sustainable management
of our oceans for economic growth.”
The Bill sends a strong signal that New
Zealanders care about their marine environment,
and want to see development occur in a sustainable
way.
“I am pleased that the Bill has attracted
the support of a number of parties in Parliament.
Such cross-party support will help to ensure
the laws governing our EEZ and continental
shelf are enduring.”
The new law will come into force when the
regulations that are being developed become
operational.
“Work is already well underway on the technical
detail to be contained in the regulations.
This has been widely consulted on through
a public discussion document, and the Government
will be making decisions on the final content
of the regulations in due course.”
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Ministerial talks to
focus on environmental issues
Amy Adams
22 August, 2012
Environment Minister Amy Adams leaves for
Canberra today to attend the Council of
Australian Government’s Standing Committee
on Environment and Water (SCEW).
“We’re interested in the work Australia
is doing in areas such as national water
reform, waste policy, and a national plan
for clean air. Taking part in the standing
committee and its working groups will help
us with our environmental policy and implementation
work,” Ms Adams says.
SCEW is a Council of Australian Commonwealth,
State, Territory and New Zealand Ministers
with responsibility for environmental and
water issues.
It meets every year to agree actions to
address key environmental protection and
water management issues. This is SCEW’s
third meeting, and New Zealand has agreed
to host the fourth meeting next year.
The meeting will provide an opportunity
for Ms Adams to meet her Australian counterpart,
Minister Tony Burke, as well as State Environment
Ministers.
During the trip, Ms Adams will also meet
the Australian Productivity Commission to
discuss its water reform reports, the Murray-Darling
Basin Authority regarding its work managing
one of Australia’s largest and most important
catchments, and Australia’s Minister for
Broadband, Communications and the Digital
Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy.
