Proposed changes to the National Environmental Standard for telecommunications is expected to save network operators up to $1 million.

Communications Minister Amy Adams and Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith launched the discussion document this week, which includes a range of proposals to modernise and streamline the existing NES.

The Government is looking for feedback on proposed changes to the National Environmental Standard for telecommunications.

It's estimated the standard has already saved the industry around $3.2 million from avoided compliance costs, with the proposed amendments providing further cost savings of around $1 million a year to network operators.

Nick says: 'This new National Environmental Standard for telecommunications facilities will reduce by thousands the number of resource consents required to install wi-fi panels, street cabinets, light pole antennas and cabling, and will save consumers and ratepayers millions of dollars.

'It is part of the government's plans to make the Resource Management Act more practical and standardised.”

Public feedback is being sought on proposed changes to the NES for telecommunications facilities to help speed up improvements and reduce costs.

'These proposed changes will help speed up the rollout of the ultra-fast broadband and rural broadband initiative programmes, and fast-track the availability of new and better communications technologies,” says Amy.

'The building of a world-class communication network is the most ambitious infrastructure project New Zealand has ever undertaken, so it's important to get rules in place that reflect changing technologies.”

Amy says with more than 43 per cent of the stage one build complete, the programmes are completely changing how we connect with each other, how we educate our children and how we provide healthcare and other services across the country.

'The problem we are seeking to address with the new National Environmental Standard is the variation in rules for dealing with the visual effects with each one of New Zealand's 67 councils having different rules,” adds Nick.

'The existing 2008 Standard is limited to the roading corridor. These changes extend the resource consent exemptions onto private land as well as reducing the need for consents on roads.”

'The new Standard still requires the consent of the land or building owner but removes the need for a notified resource consent if the telecommunications facility has low visual impact.

'The new standard also encourages the co-location of different operators' infrastructure and strengthens the utilities access code that encourages cooperation in the use of the roading corridor.”

Submissions on the discussion document close on April 17. The document, and process for feedback, is available here.