Applying for a Resource Consent

Consent Types

There are five types of consent:

• land use consents
• subdivision consents
• water permits
• discharge permits
• coastal permits

Some activities may require more than one consent. For example, sinking a well for irrigation purposes requires both a land use consent and a water permit.

Council’s role is to assess each application and to approve, conditionally approve or decline the application.

Application Forms

Forms can be printed and completed, then posted, faxed or delivered in person to our Blenheim or Picton Customer Service Centres.  Forms marked with an asterisk (*) can be filled in online before being printed. 

Please contact us if you would like us to send you a copy of a form in the mail.

	Application for Resource Consent* (487 Kb)
	Affected Parties' Consent* (57 Kb)
	Fourth Schedule Assessment of Effects on the Environment (29 Kb)
	Submission Form on Notified Applications for a Resource Consent* (68 Kb)
	Application for Change or Cancellation of Resource Consent Condition(s) or Consent Notice Condition(s)* (492 Kb)
	Information to Support an Application for Water Permit* (58 Kb)
	Notification of Transfer of Water Permit* (137 Kb)
	Notification of Transfer of Coastal Permit* (40 Kb)
	Notification of Transfer of Discharge Permit* (41 Kb)
	Information to Support an Application for Installing or Altering a Bore* (45 Kb)
	Information to Support an Application for Construction of Earth Dams* (64 Kb)
	Supporting Information for a Swing Mooring* (64 Kb)
	Information Guidelines and Requirements for Renewal of Foreshore Structure (32 Kb)
	Offsite Marine Farm Application* (55 Kb)

Information Requirements

As an applicant for a resource consent, you need to give Council sufficient information to enable a proper assessment of your application. If sufficient information is not received, Council can decline to receive the application.

A duty planner is available from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm weekdays, (except at 9.00 am on Mondays due to a staff meeting) to discuss your proposal and guide you about the type of consent(s) you may require, the information you need to provide, and who the affected (or potentially affected) persons may be. Appointments are recommended.

The case officer dealing with the application will confirm who the affected persons are, once a complete application has been received.  It is advisable to consult with these affected persons.

Talking to Council and other interested and/or affected parties will help avoid the unnecessary delays and costs that can arise through lack of information provided in the application.

Professionals such as surveyors, resource management consultants, civil engineers, architects and lawyers can help you prepare your application, especially if it is complicated or will have significant adverse effects on the environment. Council staff cannot give you this help, because they have to remain impartial in the resource consent process.

Brochures

	Guidelines for Applying for a Subdivision Consent (384 Kb)
	Resource Consent Guidelines (228 Kb)
	Resource Consent Hearings (197 Kb)
	Coastal Permit Guidelines (560 Kb)
	Information Requirements for Foreshore Structures (953 Kb)
	Land Use Consent Guidelines (247 Kb)
	Water Permit Guidelines (183 Kb)

Processing of Applications

Council processes applications in accordance with procedures defined in the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA).  Applications can be processed in one of three ways:

Non-notified applications (not advertised)

If Council is satisfied your activity will have only minor adverse effects on the environment, and if all persons Council considers may be affected by your proposal have approved it in writing, your application may not need to be notified.

Council staff dealing with your application will assess your proposal, usually visiting its location. They will then write a report and recommendation for Council, which will then decide if the consent should be granted.

A written decision on a non-notified application is normally issued within 20 working days of Council’s acceptance of the application.

Limited Notification Applications (served only on affected parties)

Limited notification applies where it is determined that the proposal will have no more than a minor adverse effect on the environment but the written consent of all affected parties has not been received. Council is required to serve notice on all the affected parties.

The period for lodging a submission is 20 working (statutory) days.  A hearing shall be required if a submitter requests to be heard.  The hearing procedure is the same procedure as that for a publicly notified application hearing.

Publicly notified applications (advertised in the local newspaper and served on affected and other statutory parties)

Council has 10 working days from acceptance of the application to notify the application. If your application is to be publicly notified, the details of it will be advertised in the local newspaper(s) to give members of the public the opportunity to make submissions on your proposal.

Persons that Council considers may be affected by your proposal are advised of it by mail.  A sign may be placed on the property identifying it as the site of the application.

Submissions usually close 20 working days after the advertisement appears in the newspapers.

If your proposal is generally in accordance with RMA and plan requirements, and no submissions are received that require a formal hearing, then the application may proceed as for a non-notified application.

If your proposal is not generally in accordance with RMA and plan requirements and/or submissions are received that require a formal hearing, the application will be considered at a hearing of the Resource Hearings Committee (usually comprising three councillors).  In some cases an independent commissioner will hear the application. This hearing is scheduled within 25 working days of the closing date for submissions closing.