2015 - EPA Bill 10 September 2015

10 September 2015

Committee Secretary

Local Government and Environment

Parliament Buildings

WELLINGTON

Environmental Protection Authority (Protection of Environment) Amendment Bill

PSGR supports the members Bill that amends the Environmental Protection Authority Act 2011 (EPA Act) to add an additional objective that the organisation must aim to protect, maintain, and enhance New Zealand's environment.

It seems obvious that the statute which established the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) should require it to protect the environment. Right now it does not. It only requires it to contribute to the efficient, effective, and transparent management of New Zealand's environment and natural and physical resources.

This lack of provision should be filled, and which the Environmental Protection Authority (Protection of Environment) Amendment Bill must accommodate. It must provide for the objective of protect, maintain, and enhance New Zealand's environment.

The EPA was established by the Environmental Protection Authority Act 2011 (EPA Act) as the Government Agency that is responsible for the regulatory management of this country’s environment. However, the EPA, despite its name of environmental protection, omits to consider environmental protection in its objectives. We maintain that if New Zealand wants to uphold its international reputation of having a clean, green 100% Pure environment, then the Government Agency responsible for the regulatory management of the environment needs to have the protection of the environment as a core objective. We believe that the Bill, by inserting the words into its objective under section 12 “protects, maintains, and enhances New Zealand’s environment” gives the EPA more clarity in its role. This would bring New Zealand into line with other countries such as Ireland and Australia.

We are unable to appear before the Select Committee.

Trustees of Physicians and Scientists for Global Responsibility New Zealand Charitable Trust

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