If your project needs resource consent, the next step is to apply for consent. First, you’ll need to start putting together the information to support your application.

Information required with your application

If you haven’t provided all the information we need to process your application, you will be asked to provide more details. This slows things down and places your application on hold.

Key information required

• Written description of the proposal, including an explanation of why the application is necessary and reasons why consent should be granted.
• Accurate plans of the proposal (to a recognised scale), including elevations and a site plan, which illustrate all aspects of what you are applying for. Any areas of non-compliance should be clearly marked by cross-hatching. The plans should identify all boundaries, existing and proposed buildings, parking and manoeuvring areas, vegetation, and any other relevant features.
• Assessment of environmental effects. This should consider the likely effects that will be generated by your proposal (both adverse and positive effects) and how the adverse effects are to be avoided, remedied or mitigated. You need to consider: 
  • Land, flora and fauna such as indigenous vegetation, site stability and waterways
  • Effects on people; for example, shadowing, noise, amenity
  • Infrastructure - drains, utilities
  • Traffic and parking
  • Use, storage, or disposal of hazardous substances
• Assessment against the relevant objectives, policies and rules constrained in the District Plan and the assessment criteria that the Council will consider when making a decision. 

Information sheets

The following information sheets may assist you through the process:

• Making a Resource Consent Application - (PDF, 675 KB)
• Information Requirements for resource consent applications - (PDF, 574 KB)
• Assessment of Environmental Effects - (PDF, 561 KB)
• Whether an Application is notified or not - (PDF, 687 KB)
• General Terms of a Resource Consent - (PDF, 531 KB)

The Ministry for the Environment Flow chart of how the decision is made is available below:

Public notification decision for resource consents under the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) »

It is also recommended that for more complex or complicated resources consent applications you seek the services of a Planning Consultant.

District Plan considerations

Consideration must also be given to the relevant objectives, policies and rules contained in the District Plan and the assessment criteria that the Council will consider when making its decision. These objectives, policies and rules raise issues that should be addressed in an application. A Planner can help you identify the relevant objectives, policies and rules from the District Plan.

When to apply for Resource Consent

Once the required plans have been drawn and the application form has been completed, signed (by all co-owners), and all supporting information has been attached, you are ready to lodge your application.

Public notification of a resource consent application

Applications will generally be publicly notified unless:

• It is considered that the adverse effects on the environment of the proposal will be minor
• The District Plan or National Environmental Standard ( NES) provides for an application to not be publicly notified
• All parties identified as being potentially affected have given their written consent

In some cases, the Council will decide that an application should be processed on a ‘limited notification’ basis. Only people who may be adversely affected by the proposal will be served a copy of the proposal, as opposed to a public notice appearing in the newspaper.