District Plan

What is the purpose of the District Plan?

What is a resource consent?

When do I need a resource consent?

What types of activities might need a resource consent?

How do I apply for a resource consent?

Does my application need to be publicly notified?

How long will the consent application take to be processed?

Resource consent monitoring

Resource consent forms

Compliance and enforcement

Useful links

Resource Consents/Resource Management

What is the purpose of the District Plan?

The District Plan aims to control the effects of activities (eg farming, commercial enterprises, housing) to ensure they do not have a harmful impact on the surrounding environment. To achieve this, activities are either provided for, or excluded from, certain areas (zones) by rules in the plan. These activities are defined as permitted, controlled, discretionary, non-complying or prohibited.

What is a resource consent?

A resource consent is a permission to undertake an activity on a particular site if it does not comply with the requirements of the District Plan. A resource consent may have conditions to control the effects of the activity on the environment.

In what circumstances do I need a resource consent?

You will need to refer to the District Plan. If you are unsure, discuss your proposal with a Council planner (03 440 0615) who will advise you.

What types of activities might require a resource consent?

• subdivisions
• planting and removal of trees
• childcare centres
• quarries
• new dwellings, if outside the District Plan rules
• restaurants
• service stations
• earthworks

How do I apply for a resource consent?

You will need to obtain an application form from the Council. You will need to make sure you provide all of the information requested, including an assessment of the environmental effects. Sometimes you will need to get advice from a specialist, for example, a planner, landscape architect, registered engineer, surveyor, or traffic engineer to assist you with your application.

Does my application need to be publicly notified?

A resource consent application will be publicly notified if the likely effects on the environment are more than minor and if there are other people who will be affected by the proposal.

A Council planner can assess your application and determine whether it needs to be publicly notified. If publicly notified, those people directly affected by your application will be informed, a sign will be placed on the property for a period of time, and public notice will be made in the paper. This allows any person to make a submission on the application. In most cases, the submission period is 20 working days, but this can be extended for complex applications.

How long will the consent application take to be processed?

Non-notified resource consents must be processed within 20 working days, although the Council can suspend an application if further information is needed. Processing times can also be extended, if needed. Non-notified applications can generally be approved under delegated authority and do not require a Council hearing.

Notified resource consents involve a more lengthy process taking up to 70 working days to complete. Following the submission period, planning reports are prepared and a hearing date is set. Any submitters can attend the hearing and applicants have a right of reply to objections.

Decisions are generally reserved at the completion of the hearing. Within 15 working days of the hearing being completed, a written decision of the Council is sent to the applicant and submitters.

Applicants or submitters dissatisfied with any decision have a right of appeal to the Environment Court. Further details on this process can be obtained from the Council (03 440 0615).

Resource Consent Monitoring

If an activity is approved the Council is required to monitor the activity to ensure it complies with the approval and any specified conditions.

Resource consent forms

Applying for a resource consent is easy. Here are the application forms in pdf format:

Reg 103 - Resource Consent Application (64kb)

Reg 106 - Change or Cancellation of Resource Consent Condition Application (98kb)

If you are required to get the written approval of a neighbour or other affected person, use this form:

Reg 108 - Affected Persons Approval (65kb)

Compliance and enforcement

If anyone undertakes an activity without obtaining the necessary resource consent the Council is obliged to investigate and ensure that necessary consents are obtained.

Links

These links allow you direct access to other agencies that you may need to consult in making an application for a resource consent. They will open in a new window:

Otago Regional Council

Transit New Zealand

Historic Places Trust

Ministry for the Environment

Resource Management Act