We are facing delays in processing applications due to current staff shortages.
The information below is based on the expected statutory timeframes under the RMA.
Pathways and timeframes are different depending on the type of consent and how complex it is. The decision as to what type of pathway an application needs to follow sits with the Council.
Your consent application is fast-tracked if it meets the following:
| What the Council must do | The expected time limit |
|---|---|
| Check an application is complete | 5 working days from the date an application is received |
| Make a decision | 10 working days from the date a complete application is received |
A non-notified consent means that the Council has determined there is no need for public consultation, and/or all affected persons have given approval.
| What the Council must do | The expected time limit |
|---|---|
| Check an application is complete | 10 working days from the date an application is received |
| Make a decision | 20 working days from the date a complete application is received |
While we are experiencing significant staff shortages the Council has doubled these timeframes.
A limited notified consent means that affected persons have a chance to have their say on how they believe the proposal will impact them. We identify who is affected, and must consider a person affected if the advere effects on them from the activity, if allowed, is going to be at least "minor".
| What the Council must do | The expected time limit |
|---|---|
| Check your application is complete | 10 working days from the date your application is received |
| Advise affected persons that they can make a submission | 20 working days from the date a complete application is received |
| Receive submissions | 20 working days from the date affected persons were advised |
| Make a decision if there's no hearing | 20 working days from the date submissions close |
| Close a hearing | 45 working days after close of submissions |
| Release a decision after close of hearing | 15 working days from the date the hearing closes |
A publicly notified consent means that the Council is seeking input from the public.
Generally, we do this when the rules in the TRMP let us, and if we think the effects on the environment are likely to be more than minor.
By notifyng the application and letting people have their say, their participation can provide useful evidence that make the final decision better.
| What the Council must do | The expected time limits |
|---|---|
| Check an application is complete | 10 working days from the date an application is received |
| Advertise in a public newspaper | 20 working days from the date a complete application is received |
| Receive submissions | 20 working days from the date the application is publically notified |
| Make a decision if there's no hearing | 20 working days from the date submissions close |
| Close a hearing | 75 working days after close of submissions |
| Release a decision after close of hearing | 15 working days from the date the hearing closes |
As an applicant you may stop the process:
The working days available to you is reduced by the number of days the clock may already have been stopped for you:
When you put your application on hold the 'clock stops' for us, and none of the working days count to our processing time while it is on hold.
Once your working days are used up, we must choose to return your application or to continue processing it.
We can put your consent application on hold if we need to ask you:
When we put your application on hold it 'stops the clock', and none of the working days count for our processing clock.
We can extend the time limits for holding hearings or releasing decisions on your application: e.g. to allow you as an applicant and submitters time to negotiate consent conditions, or for you to comment on draft conditions for a complicated project. If we are wanting to extend the time limit to more than twice the period in the RMA, then we need your agreement.
The period from 20 December to 10 January each year doesn't count towards the timeframes. This means that any weekdays during this time will not count as working days.
For example, if you lodged your resource consent application on 19 December, the 'clock' will not start ticking until 11 January in the new year.
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