Natural and Built Environments Act: A closer look at environmental limits

Section 7 of the NBA introduces the concept of "environmental limits" in relation to the natural environment. These may be formulated as either:

• the minimum biophysical state of the natural environment (or a specified part of that environment). For example, the maximum amount of ammonia in a water body, or minimum amount of dissolved oxygen in a water body; or
• the maximum amount of harm or stress that may be permitted on the natural environment (or specified part of that environment). For example, the maximum amount of water that can be taken from a water body.

The purpose of the limits is to protect the ecological integrity of the natural environment and/or human health and, in setting these limits, the Minister (or the planning committee in the case of plans) must apply the precautionary approach.