Under the rubric of “streamlining,� legislation continues to move through Parliament to amend NZ’s Resource Management Act, as earlier reported in Resource Renewal Institute’s headlines. As the law takes shape, significant changes have been made including: Not proceeding with the removal of the non-complying activity class as the transitional costs exceeded the benefits; Not limiting the rights of appeal on plans on the basis that the legal test for appeals would have been difficult to interpret; Strengthening provisions that ensure the timely and efficient processing of resource consents; Limiting rather than removing further rounds of submissions on plan changes to ensure property rights are recognized; Strengthening the process for national consenting and national environmental standards. More info is available at: http://www.mfe.govt.nz/rma/central/amendments/resource-management-simplify-and-streamline-amendment-bill-2009/index.html

The paper proposes a new economics that has market mechanisms that work to maximize community well-being and the happiness of individuals within the limits of ecological principles. It presents principles and scenarios and begins with an introductory 5-part definition of strong sustainability that incorporates ethics, values and 'world views.' A copy can be downloaded here.

Wind turbines will be installed above railway tracks in the Sloegebied industrial harbour area near Vlissingen. The aim is that the railway will be powered by 'green' energy generated on the tracks themselves. Minister Cramer of the Environment and Spatial Planning says: This is an excellent example of how wind farms can be integrated into existing infrastructure. ... The wind turbines will be installed above the railway track on specially designed masts, demonstrating a creative way to make multiple use of the space available. Wind farms will be concentrated at existing industrial corridors and motorways.