Resource consent is the authorization given by the government for the use of resources within a given property, whereas land use is the process of getting an approval for land use.  The New Zealand Resource Management Act (RMA) authorizes the resource consent for all land activities, making it an important component of any landscaping, property development, or ecological restoration project.

Resource consent is important because it helps determine the impact of development and helps avoid any legal issues that may result from these activities. Without it, your project will suffer setbacks that can hamper your landscaping work and waste resources in the process.

Resource Consent For Landscaping and Restoration

There are actually 4 types of resource consent you’ll need for landscaping and revegetation:

1. Land use consent – a permit allowing the use of the land.
2. Water permit – allows the use of water resources within the area, including those that are inherent in the property.
3. Subdivision consent – a consent to use a piece of land for the construction of subdivision and housing units, with added specifications for other structures such as bridges or even buildings.
4. Coastal permit – a permit for the use of properties within coastal areas such as resorts and ports.

In addition to resource consent, any development project would require a discharge permit. Discharge permit identifies the waste and by-products the project would produce and outlines the waste disposal plan. Almost all projects require discharge permits since almost any type of land activity, including restoration projects, produce some form of waste and proper waste disposal has to be addressed before the project can even begin.

The process and application for resource consent varies depending on the district or region. But for the most part, the type of development project that will be implemented, the impact of that project on the environment and community, and the legality of projects are the main factors that determine whether or not the resource consent would be approved. RMA also has the right to reject applications that are found inaccurate and less detailed, and that the approval of the application would take 20 working days the least, depending on the complexity and scale of the application.

Challenges With Resource Consent Application

For the most part, the resource consent application process is straightforward. But the process can be challenging for most property owners.

First, the processing time of these applications before they are granted could take weeks or months causing project delays.

Second, the cost of the consent. The minimum cost of a resource consent  in Wellington District, for example, is about 90 dollars per hour. This does not include the cost of preparation, from employing inspectors to complying consent conditions.

And last is the paperwork required in the process. Resource consent application requirements vary from district to district but most do require environmental assessment, consultations with stakeholders, project proposals, local permits, so on and so forth. The process can be so complicated and expensive at times which can frustrate some people to the point they no longer wish to continue with it.

But with the help of a professional, your project will have the consent documents it needs faster, easier and with less fuss. At Rural Design, we can help you prepare your documents, and assist you with all types of consent applications, including from the District Resource Consents and Regional Landuse Consents.

Our long time partnership with different districts allows us to assist you with your resource consent application in a comprehensive way.  We can also help draft a suitable application for you and your project. so no need to worry about project delays or added cost. From resource consents to project implementation, we are your “one-stop shop” that you can rely on for all your rural landscaping and restoration needs.