General process for assessing a resource consent application:

Resource consents follow a process which is directed by the Resource Management Act (RMA).

(Please note that applications under the Fast Track Approvals Act (FTAA) follow a different process through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)).

In general, the RMA application process is as follows:

• When an application is received by the Council, it is allocated to a processing officer and the first step is to check if the application is ‘complete’. This means looking at whether there is overall sufficient information to understand the proposal consent is being sought for. If there is insufficient information the application may be 'returned' to the applicant, and they can reapply with the missing information.

• When an application is deemed ‘complete’ the processing officer will start reviewing the application information in detail. This includes making a site visit and gathering feedback from other specialists who will help review the information the applicant has provided. For example, a traffic assessment provided by the applicant is normally reviewed by a transport specialist. The same applies for other specialist areas.
  
  As part of this step, the Council may need further information or clarification of the application details provided, and will ask the applicant for this via a ‘further information request’. The application processing timeframe goes ‘on hold’ until this information is satisfactorily provided.

• Once the Council has all the information it needs, the processing officer prepares a report considering the effects of the proposal, with a recommendation on whether the application should be publicly or limited notified, or non-notified. The decision on notification can be made by either a Council staff member or an Independent Commissioner.
  
  If the application is decided to be ‘publicly notified’ then any person may make a formal submission for or against the proposal. If the application is decided to be ‘limited notified’, those persons which are identified as being ‘affected’ may make a formal submission for or against the proposal. A person making a formal submission for either a limited or publicly notified application can ask to speak at any hearing. Alternatively, a non-notified decision does not include opportunity for formal submissions.

• Once the notification pathway has been determined, and any hearing held where applicable, a final decision will be made.

More information on this process is available on Council’s website at Resource Consents - Nelson City Council