finish commiditisation section

1 files changed, 23 insertions, 25 deletions

diff --git a/assignment3/background.tex b/assignment3/background.tex
index a7f7736..72070e6 100644
--- a/assignment3/background.tex
+++ b/assignment3/background.tex
@@ -303,35 +303,33 @@ Court \parencite{goldenlink-appeal}.
 
 \subsection{The commoditisation of resource consents}
 
-The evaluation of the positive effects of the mining proposal may also
-have been influenced to some degree by Newmont's previous financial
-commitment to the community by funding local primary school and
-preschool facilities and providing \$400,000 for Waihi residents to
-spend on community amenities \parencite{goldenlink-appeal}.
-
-% TODO: easy to buy off directly affected people -- outcome is not sustainable
-
-%- side agreements: applicants can buy consent by paying directly
-%  affected people, incurring poor environmental outcomes for the
-%  community or future generations. \parencite{PCE1998}
-%
-%  \begin{quote}
-%    The environmental risks associated with side agreements depend on
-%    the council’s knowledge and treatment of any contractual
-%    arrangements by consent applicants. Good practice by the consent
-%    authority can help to minimise these risks. For example, where a
-%    private agreement does not necessarily result in effects on the
-%    environment being mitigated, consent authorities should impose
-%    appropriate conditions to mitigate these effects.
-%  \end{quote} \parencite[][p 9]{PCE1998}
-%
-%- wider example may be the golden link mine where the applicant
-%  promised to do unrelated work for the community to secure approval
-
+According to the \textcite{PCE1998}, the RMA creates a climate in
+which there are incentives for applicants to enter into so-called side
+agreements with directly affected persons, as through early
+consultation and mediation with the affected party public notification
+(and with it long delays) can be avoided. While the goal of the
+resource consent process is to lead to environmentally sustainable
+outcomes, the existence of side agreements may result in worse
+environmental outcomes, for example when affected parties receive
+financial compensation in return for their approval of an
+environmentally harmful development.
+
+Likewise, the evaluation of the positive effects of the mining
+proposal may have been influenced to some degree by Newmont's previous
+financial commitment to the community by funding local primary school
+and preschool facilities and providing \$400,000 for Waihi residents
+to spend on community amenities \parencite{goldenlink-appeal}. These
+payments may benefit the general community and sway the public's
+attitude towards the proposal, but it does not necessarily compensate
+those who are directly affected by the proposed activities (if they
+are willing to receive compensation in exchange for accepting the
+proposal at all).
 
 
 \subsection{The value of submissions from the public}
 
+It would not be fair to deduce from this case study that economic
+benefit usually outweighs the concerns of the public.
 
 
 % Dunedin waterside hotel