Government suspends identification of new significant natural areas for three years.
The three-year suspension of identifying new significant natural areas (SNAs) has passed its third reading in Parliament, following a proposal by the Government to review the current approach. Associate Minister for the Environment Andrew Hoggard stated that concerns from stakeholders led to this decision, as the existing method was deemed too broad and overly restrictive.
The requirement for councils to identify new SNAs in district plans under the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity has been suspended until further notice. Some implementation timeframes have also been extended to 31 December 2030. A review of SNAs will be conducted, involving consultation with experts, landowners, and indigenous groups.
The suspension aims to provide a collaborative approach between landowners and the Government to protect unique environments while minimizing restrictions on land use change. The proposed changes will undergo further consultation next year, following the review's completion.