The Government's backing down from its plans to totally revamp the cumbersome Resource Management Act, saying Sections 6 and 7 of the Act dealing with the environment and eco systems, will remain as they are.

Previously the government wanted to change sections which related to preserving historical heritage and the environment.

Instead they'll now concentrate on areas that'll speed up recourse consent for things like housing.

There was a lack of detail in yesterday's Budget about the Resource Management Act, and today, Prime Minister John Key is changing his tune entirely.

"I think the probability of us getting our partners to agree to substantial changes to 6 and 7 are very low, and therefore the probability of us tinkering with 6 and 7 is pretty low.

"I think we'll go and do the other work that we have more parliamentary support for."