One of the great myths perpetrated by opponents of the RMA is delay. The vast bulk of applications are disposed of promptly and satisfactorily. I have seen substantial and potentially controversial consent applications dealt with speedily. Macraes Mining obtained over 80 separate resource consents for an enormous and controversial opencast gold mine near Reefton in a matter of months. There are many other similar examples.
Delays do occur and sometimes they are substantial.
In my experience they are due mainly to sloppy work by applicants and poor management of potential problems and potential opponents. Another primary cause of delays is the National government's under- resourcing of the Environment Court over a period of years, leaving it unable to deal as promptly as it would like with the business in hand. The present government does not yet appear to have faced up to the consequences. The business community would be better advised to accept appropriate environmental practices are necessary and inevitable, and enterprises should incorporate such practices in their business plans along with the myriad of other requirements. Firms who have got that message have already got to the front of the queue and generally get their consents quickly and without undue hassle.