Following the General Election a gung-ho National Party is hell-bent fast-tracking Resource Management Act applications.

Let's not forget it was the National Government that put in place Simplifying and Streamlining Amendment Act 2009 as a panacea to address delay issues etc.

Now at the behest of developers speculators and entrepreneurs the Nats want to rejig the principles in Sections 5, 6 and 7 plugging for the ‘de minimis' (minor) lunacy, thereby loosening the reins further for quick fixs.

Developers and lawyers with vested financial interests intent on getting desired results are driven by blatant self-interest and not what is good for NZ.

In a nutshell they can't be trusted and those people who take the time and trouble to object to try-ons - having no financial interest in the result - are more genuine about identifying environmental issues and adverse outcomes than those whose livelihood and wealth depend on beating the system.

Let's face it applicants hold all the aces, objectors hold none. If councils' dilatoriness needs fixing just deal with that.

Even the Commissioner for the Environment agrees the protection of the environment versus financial gain is a real worry. It follows the general public should be very concerned at this state of affairs and speak out at every opportunity. As they say: ‘Be afraid very afraid'.

R Paterson, Matapihi.