The Government is sticking to its current timeline for suspending the establishment of Significant Natural Areas.

It's set to legislate on its pre-election promise to do so in the coming months.

Grey District Mayor Tania Gibson is trying to delay a costly re-mapping process on the West Coast that could restrict land use for up to 90 percent of the region - until the legislation has passed.

Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard says in the meantime, the West Coast Regional Policy Statement will have to follow the previous Government's policy.

"And I'll just re-emphasise that we are intending to make changes to that NPS, that work's going to be done very shortly."

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