How Resource Consent Applications are Processed

The process that Council staff follow when processing an application for resource consent is prescribed by the Resource Management Act 1991. There are several stages and several pathways that an application can take.  Each step in the process has a timeframe for completion.

Resource Consent Timeframes

Below is a brief summary of the process. 

Step 1 - Further Information

A Resource Consent Planner will audit your application and decide whether they are able to understand what you want to do and what the effects will be.  If staff need more information to determine these things then they will send you a 'Request for Further Information'. 

Step 2 - Public Involvement

Once the Council's Planner has enough information a decision is made on which of the following three 'processing pathways' an application will take. The three pathways are:

  1. Non-Notification - no members of the public are involved.
  2. Limited Notification - submissions are invited from those persons affected.
  3. Full Public Notification - the proposal is advertised and submissions are invited from the public.

The pathway that an application goes down depends on the effects that the proposal will have (1) on the environment and (2) on other people. The decision on the processing pathway is vested solely with the Council.

Step 3 - Submissions and Hearings

If an application is either 'Limited Notified' or 'Fully Notified' anyone has a chance to make submissions. 

Read more about how anyone can make a submission on resource consent applications and about resource consent hearings:

Direct Referral to the Environment Court

A recent law change means that an applicant can now seek permission from the Council for the application to be heard by the Environment Court rather than by the Council. This may streamline the resource consent process by not requiring both a Council hearing and an Environment Court hearing. 

The applicant must make the request to the Council within five working days of the date on which the period for submissions on the application closes.

Step 4 - Decision

Depending on the processing pathway either the Council's planner or a hearing committee will make a decision to either grant or decline an application. If it is granted, conditions will usually be imposed requiring that work be done in a certain way or that certain environmental effects are avoided.

The Council's decision will be sent to you in writing and, if it is granted, with a copy of your consent.

If you do not like the the Council's decision, you may be able to lodge an object or an appeal.

Objections and Appeals