Consultation

It is a requirement of the Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) that applicants consult with affected parties and interested parties.

Consultation is a process which will help you identify and address community, tangata whenua and neighbour concerns about your activity.  It will help identify the potential and/or actual environmental effects, allow methods to overcome these effects to be developed and provide an opportunity for the activity to be discussed.

A description of this process and its outcome is to be included in your application.

When To Consult

Consultation should occur if your activity:

• Will have an impact on your neighbours
  
  
• Will have an impact on the community
  
  
• Will have a high level of public interest
  
  
• Raises specific concerns or differing issues
  
  

The Council will advise you of the appropriate consultation required and provide you with names and addresses.

You are encouraged to consult with affected of interested persons before completing your resource consent application.  This can streamline the processing of your application and may avoid the need for notification enabling it to be processed quicker.

How To Consult

• Identify those persons affected by or interested in your activity - Affected/Interested Persons.
  
  
• Develop an information package.  This should be a starting point for discussion rather than a final proposal and it should be a full and honest approach including:
  
  
  • A Description Of The Project - include maps, drawings and other aids
    
  • An Initial List Of Possible Effects - the ways the proposal could change the environment
    
  • Practical Alternatives - to allow the proposal to meet peoples concerns
    
  • Ways To Mitigate Effects
    
  • Your Contact Details - enable people to ask questions, provide comments and discuss concerns
    
  • An Affected Persons Approval Form
    
    
    
• Deliver the information personally or by mail
  
  
• Determine the issues and concerns from comments received.  You may wish to hold an information meeting
  
  
• Obtain written approval on the Approval Form.  Remember to make sure they sign and date the plans and other documents as well
  
  
• A summary of your consultation process must be included in your Assessment of Environmental Effects.
  
  
  

Summary

Your consultation should have considered:

• Who the affected and interested persons are
  
• Who was consulted and how
  
• The views of those consulted
  
• Your response to those views, including any changes you have made to your proposed activity.