Locals on the Hibiscus Coast will soon see changes as the Government progresses with Phase Two of the Resource Management Act (RMA) reforms.

RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop announced a new wave of amendments designed to drive economic growth and productivity across New Zealand.

Minister Bishop highlighted the challenges of New Zealand's current planning system, stating, "It's too hard to get things done in New Zealand, and our planning system is a big part of what's holding us back."

The Government's reform efforts are in response to a campaign promise to simplify the country's development processes.

The first phase of reforms saw the repeal of the Natural and Built Environment Act and Spatial Planning Act, with the Fast-track Bill currently under review by the Environment Committee.

This second phase includes four major reform packages: Infrastructure and Energy, Housing, Farming and the Primary Sector, and Emergencies and Natural Hazards.

These packages are intended to cut through red tape and lay the groundwork for future legislation.

The Infrastructure and Energy package aims to promote energy and infrastructure projects by updating national direction instruments, including the introduction of a new National Policy Statement (NPS) for Infrastructure.

It also includes extending coastal permits for ports and simplifying consent processes for telecommunications facilities as part of the Electrify NZ reforms.

The Housing package focuses on the Government’s "Going for Housing Growth" policies.

This package requires councils to meet 30-year Housing Growth Targets and allows flexibility with Medium Density Residential Standards.

Other reforms will simplify heritage management and enable the construction of granny flats and papakāinga housing.

For the primary sector, the reforms are set to boost productivity by amending the National Policy Statement-Highly Productive Land.

This will permit indoor farming and greenhouses on highly productive land, along with the construction of solar farms, in line with National Party manifesto promises.

The final package addresses natural hazards, providing a nationally consistent framework for managing risks from climate change and other natural disasters.

This includes a new national direction on natural hazards, which will guide councils on identifying and responding to these risks.

The Government expects to introduce the second RMA Amendment Bill to Parliament by the end of the year, with the national direction package following the same timeline.

The third and final phase of the reforms will involve a complete replacement of the RMA with new legislation focused on property rights, slated for introduction before the end of 2025.