Mining is still a significant economic activity within
the Hauraki District. The Martha project is particularly significant. Estimates
are that in the order of 850 direct and indirect jobs are derived as a
consequence of the Martha project within the Waikato Region.
The Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) is
New
Zealand's primary piece of environmental
legislation. It sets out to provide the framework for the control of the use,
development and protection of almost all physical and natural resources.
Minerals are excluded from the sustainability requirements of the legislation
but as mining invariably involves the use of land, all the other elements of RMA
apply.
The Council's role in dealing with mining changed with
the introduction of RMA. It became responsible for administration of those
matters that fell within the functions set out in section 31 of the RMA in
respect to existing authorisations. Mineral development needed to be considered
in the development of the District Plan that the Council is required to
prepare.
Implementation
of the Act has been a challenge for not only local government but for many
industries and resource users since it came into force in 1991. There have been,
and are, differing views on both the way it is administered and its intent. The
Hauraki District Council has been at the forefront of some of the challenges
that are a consequence of the Act. Its reactions to these challenges have been
consistent. It treats mining in the same why it treats any other industry. At
times this approach has not been understood and without challenge from sections
of the community.