GEORGINA BEYER (NZ Labour--Wairarapa): I will take a brief call on this matter. I do support the bill being referred to the Local Government and Environment Committee, of which I am a member.

I think it is worthwhile just to come back to the statement of the problem, and I will read directly from the commentary on the bill: "Particular restricted coastal activity resource consent applications by Whitianga Waterways Limited are affected by the absence of a transitional provision in the principal Act. Because the Minister of Conservation has referred the applications back to the hearing committee, Whitianga Waterways Limited claims that this is delaying the commencement of a $100 m project.

"Three or four other restricted coastal activity resource consent applications are arguably affected by the lack of a transitional provision in the principal Act. In addition, there is an unknown (but considered small) number of other resource consent applications that may be affected by the lack of a transitional provision.

"Regulatory action is considered necessary to rectify the issue."