An urban planner's giving the proposed Resource Management Act a big thumbs up, calling the reforms awesome and fantastic.   

The Government's confirmed the current RMA will be replaced by two pieces of legislation, one for the environment and one for planning. 

They'll be phased in by 2029.  

Independent urban planner and strategic development expert Bruce Weir told Andrew Dickens there will always be hiccups, but the changes are great.  

He says the compensation element of the changes could be a headache, however previous planning rules were frustrating and full of nonsense. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

An urban planner's giving the proposed Resource Management Act a big thumbs up, calling the reforms awesome and fantastic. &nbsp;&nbsp;
The Government's confirmed the current RMA will be replaced by two pieces of legislation, one for the environment and one for planning.&nbsp;
They'll be phased in by 2029. &nbsp;
Independent urban planner and strategic development expert Bruce Weir told Andrew Dickens there will always be hiccups, but the changes are great. &nbsp;
He says the compensation element of the changes could be a headache, however previous planning rules were frustrating and full of nonsense.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Bruce Weir: Urban planner and strategic development expert on the RMA reforms

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/c29169aa-0272-4d99-9c38-b3ae01664bd1/transcript

Today marks the beginning of road side drug testing - starting exclusively in the Wellington District.

The scheme's pilot will see police conducting random roadside saliva tests - screening for cannabis, methamphetamine, MDMA, and cocaine.

The initiative begins in the capital before scaling up from April until coverage is nationwide by mid next-year.

Any drivers whose tests come back positive, will need to do a lab test which also checks for 25 other substances.

Positive tests can result in 12 hour disqualifications from driving and possible infringement notices.

Police Association President Steve Watt shares his thoughts. 

Today marks the beginning of road side drug testing - starting exclusively in the Wellington District.
The scheme's pilot will see police conducting random roadside saliva tests - screening for cannabis, methamphetamine, MDMA, and cocaine.
The initiative begins in the capital before scaling up from April until coverage is nationwide by mid next-year.
Any drivers whose tests come back positive, will need to do a lab test which also checks for 25 other substances.
Positive tests can result in 12 hour disqualifications from driving and possible infringement notices.
Police Association President Steve Watt shares his thoughts.&nbsp;

Steve Watt: Police Association President on the roadside drug testing roll out begins

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/26b2dd44-ccc0-4640-8c1b-b3b3011fbf58/transcript

After Bondi It now seems obvious that antisemitism is out the gate. Particularly in Australia with a large population who hail from the middle east, but increasingly so in this country and around the world.

and I don't think the genie is going to be put back in the bottle any time soon.

The conflict in Gaza starting with the Hamas attack on the music festival in October 2023 has only intensified the conflict between faiths.

and you don't want to victim blame but Israel's reaction to the original attack has not calmed the situation but further radicalised Moslems.

Presenting talkback on the Gaza situation over the past 2 years I have been at pains to separate the Israel State from the Jewish faith but that has been impossible for both sides.

Not helped by Netanyahu who goes out of his way to make sure you know the faith is the state and vice versa.

Any talk of Gazan bloodshed by Israel is always pulled back to October the 7th 2023.

And any talk about the Hamas atrocity is always linked back to the Israeli counter moves.

Any criticism of Israel's actions is always branded antisemitism by supporters of Israel.

Both sides now locked in a deadly dance with no middle ground of peace. A dance that has been there since 1948 but today is more furious than ever.

Blessed are the peacemakers they say but where are they.

One reported blessing is that the Australian hero who disarmed a Bondi attacker was himself an Arab.

A local fruit shop owner. Showing that the killers are not indicative of all Moslems.

Hopefully that might ease the wave of Islamophobia that is almost inevitable.

After Bondi It now seems obvious that antisemitism is out the gate. Particularly in Australia with a large population who hail from the middle east, but increasingly so in this country and around the world.
and I don't think the genie is going to be put back in the bottle any time soon.
The conflict in Gaza starting with the Hamas attack on the music festival in October 2023 has only intensified the conflict between faiths.
and you don't want to victim blame but Israel's reaction to the original attack has not calmed the situation but further radicalised Moslems.
Presenting talkback on the Gaza situation over the past 2 years I have been at pains to separate the Israel State from the Jewish faith but that has been impossible for both sides.
Not helped by Netanyahu who goes out of his way to make sure you know the faith is the state and vice versa.
Any talk of Gazan bloodshed by Israel is always pulled back to October the 7th 2023.
And any talk about the Hamas atrocity is always linked back to the Israeli counter moves.
Any criticism of Israel's actions is always branded antisemitism by supporters of Israel.
Both sides now locked in a deadly dance with no middle ground of peace. A dance that has been there since 1948 but today is more furious than ever.
Blessed are the peacemakers they say but where are they.
One reported blessing is that the Australian hero who disarmed a Bondi attacker was himself an Arab.
A local fruit shop owner. Showing that the killers are not indicative of all Moslems.
Hopefully that might ease the wave of Islamophobia that is almost inevitable.

Andrew Dickens: What we need to learn from the Bondi attack

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/a86f0238-dd3e-48bd-8195-b3b3011d8061/transcript

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Monday the 15th of December 2025, Police begin roadside drug testing from today, Police Association President, Steve Watt tells Andrew what officers are preparing for. 

UK police tighten security around synagogues celebrating Hanukkah following the Bondi Beach shooting in Australia, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest. 

Elliott Smith has the latest on the weekend's sport. 

Plus, James Cameron's warned about the future of our film industry, Chair of Screen Music and Sound Guild, John McKay shares his thoughts. 

Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.          

LISTEN ABOVE  

On the Early Edition with Andrew Dickens Full Show Podcast Monday the 15th of December 2025, Police begin roadside drug testing from today, Police Association President, Steve Watt tells Andrew what officers are preparing for.&nbsp;
UK police tighten security around synagogues celebrating Hanukkah following the Bondi Beach shooting in Australia, UK/Europe Correspondent Gavin Grey has the latest.&nbsp;
Elliott Smith has the latest on the weekend's sport.&nbsp;
Plus, James Cameron's warned about the future of our film industry, Chair of Screen Music and Sound Guild, John McKay shares his thoughts.&nbsp;
Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

Full Show Podcast: 15 December 2025 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/83950e6d-6bc0-43a7-8e95-b3b3011a8648/transcript

Bruce Weir: Urban planner and strategic development expert on the RMA reforms

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