Resource Management Amendment Act (No. 160 of 1996).

The main amendments introduced by this Act concern the workings of the ex-Planning Tribunal (section 247 of principal Act) which is now renamed the Environment Court. The appointment of Environment Judges and of Environment Commissioners is also covered. It is specified that the Environment Court and Environment Judges have the same powers as a District Court has in the exercise of its civil jurisdiction. New sections are inserted relating to the procedure to follow in case of infringement offences. Section 23 amends section 418 of the principal Act entitled "Certain existing permitted uses may continue" (in relation to the prohibition to discharge contaminants into the environment of section 15). For example, section 15 (1) (c) shall not apply in respect of any discharge from any industrial or trade premises which would not have required any licence or other authorization under the Clean Air Act 1972, or to any discharges resulting from waste management operations. Other amendments relate to decisions of local authorities and policy statements or plans.