What is a resource consent?
A resource consent is permission from a local council for an activity that might affect the environment, and that isn’t allowed ‘as of right’ in the District Plan. The term 'resource consent' covers a number of different types of consent:
- Subdivision
- Land Use
- Outline Plan
- Liquor Certificate
- Certificate of Compliance
Any resource consent is granted to the land. It cannot be granted to a person. A change of ownership of land generally does not change the ability to use the consent on that land.
Resource consents are public information. The user pays for the costs of the consent. Most resource consents have conditions attached.
If you are considering an activity which may require a resource consent, our staff will be able to assist you. They can explain which activities require resource consent under the Resource Management Act (RMA) and which activities are permitted under the District Plan.
If a consent is required, we can also provide guidance on the information to be supplied and who should be consulted.
For further details about the District Plan and to find out about the categories of activities follow the link below.
District Plan
Applying for a resource consent
You will need to complete an application form for the type of consent you need and include the following types of information:
- details of the proposal
- a copy of the current Certificate of Title
- plans of the proposal
- a list of ways in which the proposal does not comply with the District Plan
- a report of the environmental effects of the proposal - this may need to be supported by technical reports, such as engineering or landscape reports
- written permission from people/neighbours affected by the proposal
- the required advance fee
- four copies of the application, including all completed documents
Explanations of some of the information requirements follow.
Assessment of Environmental Effects
This report describes all the relevant effects of the activity on the environment and the ways any negative effects can be lessened. It includes:
- a description of the proposal
- a description of the site and locality
- a site plan and other plans such as elevations of new buildings
- a description of ways in which adverse environmental effects can be avoided, remedied or lessened
- a list of people affected by the proposal
- a record of any consultation undertaken including affected people
- a discussion of any monitoring of environmental effects that might be required
Written approvals from neighbours
If there are people who may be actually or potentially affected by the proposal, written approval from them will be necessary before you lodge the application. If an affected person does not give written approval to the proposal, this may affect how the application is processed. It is the responsibility of the applicant, not Council, to obtain written approvals.
For further information about how to apply for a resource consent, follow the link below.
Resource Consent Application Guidance Notes [187kb]
Pre-application meetings
A pre-application meeting is an opportunity to discuss your proposal with council staff before you lodge a resource consent application. Council offers three pre-application meeting types, each with a different focus.
You are entitled to one free meeting of each type which includes Council staff spending time arranging the meeting and staff time at the meeting.
If any follow up work is required, such as a technical review of information, the actual and reasonable cost of this work will be charged.
It should be noted that any information offered during the pre-application process should not be seen as pre-empting Council's assessment and resource consent decision making process.
The meetings are:
- initial concept - provides the opportunity to discuss development proposals at the early concept stage
- technical review - this is designed to provide the opportunity to discuss the technical issues associated with a proposed resource consent application
- pre-lodgement - this is a pre-lodgement check of your proposed consent for completeness prior to lodgement of the application
For further information relating to these meetings, follow the link below:
Pre-application Meeting Request Form [86kb]
A Guide to Concept Meetings - Fact Sheet [67.8kb]
A Guide to Technical Review Meetings - Fact Sheet [72.5kb]
A Guide to Pre-Lodgement Meetings - Fact Sheet [62.9kb]
Contact the Resource Consent Administration team to request a suitable date and time for a pre-application meeting. Phone +64 9 430 4200.
Pre-application meeting appointments are available between 9.00am and 3.00pm Monday to Friday.
Rejection of an application
If an application does not include an adequate assessment of environmental effects or the information required is incomplete, it is returned to the applicant. This happens within 5 working days of the application being submitted to Council.
If an application has been returned as incomplete, and the application is lodged again with the required information, we treat it as a new application.
If the applicant or agent doesn’t agree with the reasons for returning the application then they can formally object, in writing, within 15 working days of the receipt of the returned application.
How much does a resource consent application cost?
There is a fee for processing resource consent applications. An advance fee must be paid at the time the application is made.
Generally, advance fees are:
- $1,500.00 (for Subdivision and/or Land Use resource consent applications) or either $750.00 or $1,000.00 (for all other resource consent applications)
- $4,500.00 for notified applications
The detailed list of fees for different types of applications are detailed in our Schedule of Fees and Charges and in our Resource Consent Processing and Monitoring Charges. A request for an estimate of fees can be requested at any time.
Most applications incur some additional charges which are invoiced after the decision is made. Additional charges may also be incurred during the life of the consent, for example, if the consent goes through an appeal process which involves an independent hearing.
If you or Council engage professional consultants this will add to your costs.
Council fees are payable whether or not your resource consent is approved.
Resource Consent Processing and Monitoring Fees [106kb]
For details of all our fees, follow the link below.
Fees and Charges
Discount policy
The government's Resource Management (discount on Administrative Charges) Regulations 2010 come into force on 31 July 2010. The Discount Regulations provide a discount of 1% per day (up to a maximum of 50%) to the total charge an applicant would pay Council to receive, process and issue a resource consent application, or to change or cancel a consent condition.
The Regulations apply automatically to applications which are not processed within the timeframes set in the Act, where the reason for delay rests with Council.
The "Discount Regulations" only apply to consent applications lodged on or after 31 July 2010. Any consent applications received before the regulations came into force are not eligible for a discount. An applicant need not apply to Council to receive a discount, as it will be automatically calculated by Council.
Council will calculate the level of discount applicable (if any) to your consent at time of invoicing. If you do not agree that the discount amount is appropriate, you have the right to request Council to reconsider the value of the discount. To download the form, follow the link below.
Reviewing Decisions on Discount Form [28kb]
How long does it take to process a resource consent?
Council always endeavours to process applications within the required timeframes unless there are external reasons.
Council decides within 10 days of receiving an application whether or not it will be limited or publicly notified.
If it is not to be notified, a decision should be made within 20 working days.
If your application needs to be limited or publicly notified, the timeframe is 70 working days
All the above time-frames may be extended if you are required to provide further information at any stage under Section 92 of the Resource Management Act or there are additional reasons under Section 37 of the Act. The clock is stopped until you have provided further information.
For further information about publicly notified consents, follow the link below.
Public Notification
How long does a resource consent last?
A resource consent generally last for 5 years. A longer period may be considered if requested.
Can I surrender or cancel a resource consent?
Yes, if you no longer wish to undertake the activity which it authorises. We are required to give notice of acceptance before the surrender takes effect. Prior to surrender you are liable for:
- any non-compliance with any consent conditions prior to surrender
- any consent holder charges for the consent up to the time of its surrender
If there are any incomplete works at the time you apply to surrender the consent, we may direct you to complete the works.
Contact us
If you need assistance, you can contact either the duty planner or Customer Services who will be able to discuss with you all matters relating to the application process.
Phone +64 9 430 4200
Alternatively you can contact staff at any of our Customer Service Centres.
Council offices - locations and hours of opening